Raewyn Shaw survived a massive heart attack. heart foundation During the annual Big Heart Appeal, which funds research into heart disease and next-generation medicine, health Worker.

This important fundraising event will attract hundreds of volunteers from across New Zealand.

Raewyn Shaw was more than 200 meters offshore when he felt he was no longer physically able to swim.

She was having a heart attack, but not that she knew it. She was in no pain, her only symptoms being a loss of energy and an urge to cough.

It was just after noon on Labor Day 2023. The 59-year-old carer had headed to Malaetai Beach in east Auckland after looking after a 91-year-old client who lives nearby.

She met Jim Haney, a member of the ocean swimming group, and the two set off.

Shaw went out to sea as a relief during the coronavirus pandemic, but the power went out to the buoy about 250 meters offshore.

She was able to walk most of that distance back to the beach when she was completely exhausted.

“The waves were getting a little rougher and the wind was picking up…I said to Jim, “This is crazy.” Sorry for the bad language, but that’s what I said.

“I can’t do it anymore. I don’t have the energy to swim back anymore.” I looked at the shore and thought, “I can’t do it.” There was nothing in my tank. ”

Shaw quit smoking 13 years ago after being diagnosed with breast cancer. In the deep water, she coughed and sputtered as if she still had a habit.

Haney, a former professional lifeguard, told her to grab a tow float and took her to within 100 meters of the beach.

he yelled to two nearby paddleboarders, Shannon Clemmett and Kirsten Swart.

“She kept saying she didn’t feel really good. The swells were increasing and the water kept getting in her face. She was really struggling,” Clemmett said. herald.

“Kirsten said, ‘Let’s just grab the board and let her row,’ because she’s a phenomenal person.”

Swart got to his knees, grabbed Shaw’s arm and put his upper body on top of the board. She fought her way back to shore, still on her knees, with Clemmett and her kayaking partner close by.

In the shallow water, Shaw tried to walk, but her legs felt like jelly from lack of oxygen. Ms Clemmett ran to her nearby yacht club, where members followed her with first aid kits and wrapped Ms Shaw in aluminum foil blankets.

An ambulance arrived and paramedics confirmed that she had suffered a heart attack. Shaw, who had always thought her heart attack was accompanied by chest pain, was shocked.

It also came as a surprise to Clemett and Swart, who learned of the diagnosis later that day. He didn’t even think about a heart attack.

“She just said she was having trouble breathing and felt like she wanted to throw up. We thought she might have swallowed water,” Clemmett said. “She never said her chest hurt…we honestly thought she was having an asthma attack.”

Shaw spent four days at Middlemore Hospital. A stent was placed in one of her blocked arteries to increase her blood flow, but her main artery was too narrow and damaged for such a procedure.

She is waiting for an appointment with a cardiologist, but her GP tells her there are no appointments yet and that the hospital’s services are understaffed and struggling to meet demand.

“It’s scary to think, ‘How much longer do I have left?'” You start thinking the worst. ”

Haney, a motivational speaker, is in regular contact with Shaw, who is currently unable to accompany the group on beach trips, to help change that mindset.

He believes that you can view your heart attack as an early warning system to improve areas such as your diet and health, and ultimately come back stronger than ever.

Shaw has a family history of heart disease, with both her father and uncle dying of heart problems at a young age, so she cut back on luxuries such as butter and lost around 7 kilograms.

“I’m eating a lot of bloody salad wraps now. I’m on blood thinners and cholesterol medication.

“I’m grateful for what I’ve accomplished. I’m trying to stay healthy and try to live each day as if it’s my last, you never know what’s going to happen around the corner…My goals are… I’m going to turn 60 this year and party.”

Shaw is one of hundreds of volunteers collecting donations for the Heart Foundation’s Big Heart Appeal, which will take place on Friday and Saturday, February 23 and 24.

“This is our largest single fundraiser and we are extremely grateful for the generosity of New Zealanders,” said Gerry Devlin, cardiologist at Gisborne Hospital and Medical Director of the Heart Foundation. the doctor said.

“Your donation will help us conduct research locally on how we can improve the heart health of New Zealanders. It will also help the next generation of researchers and the next generation of cardiologists go overseas and help all of us. It is also important to train people to bring back skills that they can benefit from.”

Devlin said it is important to understand what causes heart disease among certain populations and strengthen the health workforce that is currently in short supply.

In Shaw’s experience, common symptoms of heart disease, such as chest discomfort, feeling sick, and sweating, are not always present.

“Women are more likely to have atypical symptoms, like severe fatigue and severe nausea, but we don’t really understand that. Yes, common symptoms are still common symptoms. But don’t ignore other symptoms, especially if you’re a woman.”

The interview for this article was conducted Wednesday morning before Fa’anana Efeso Collins passed away. The Green Party MP and community leader collapsed during a Child Fund Water Run charity event in Auckland. His cause of death has not been confirmed.

Pacific Heartbeat, part of the Heart Foundation, which aims to reduce high rates of heart disease in Pacific Island New Zealanders, paid tribute to Mr Collins in a statement on social media. We extend our deepest condolences to his wife, children, Aiga, friends and all those whose lives he touched. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. ”

Heart Foundation Big Heart Appeal Street Collection

Heart disease claims more than 6,500 lives each year. Since the Heart Foundation was founded in 1968, he has provided more than $90 million in funding for heart research and professional training.

You can donate now to street collectors or online at heartfoundation.org.nz/big-heart-appeal.