Nicole has a strong family history of cardiovascular disease, with multiple relatives on her mother’s side affected. Despite this, she believed heart disease was something that occurred later in life.
At age 35, Nicole began experiencing significant symptoms including persistent fatigue, tachycardia, and episodes of collapse. Despite these red flags and her family history, her concerns were not initially recognised, and she was told she was too young for heart disease. During this time, she was also diagnosed with a sleep condition.
At age 38, Nicole received a letter from her aunt encouraging her to undergo cardiac assessment, highlighting the family history and associated risks. This prompted further investigation and marked a turning point in her journey.
Subsequent testing identified early coronary artery disease, including early ostial stenosis of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery, initially described as mild.
Over time, Nicole experienced ongoing chest pain and episodes consistent with angina, although she was not initially aware that these symptoms were cardiac in nature. She has since been informed that these episodes may be related to microvascular dysfunction / small vessel disease (INOCA – Ischaemia with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries), a condition that is increasingly recognised in women but remains underdiagnosed.
In 2023, Nicole was admitted to hospital for one week and underwent an angiogram. During the procedure, she experienced significant pain and what was suspected to be coronary artery spasm, with her report noting the possibility of microvascular spasm. She describes the experience as extremely distressing, with difficulty during the procedure due to vessel reactivity (“spasming”) and being told she had “sticky arteries.”
Nicole’s condition has had a significant impact on her quality of life. There were periods where she was unable to work; however, as her condition stabilised, she has since returned to the workforce.
She continues to navigate ongoing care and is currently seeking access to a cardiologist with expertise in proactive angiography and microvascular assessment, noting limitations within the public system.
Nicole reflects that earlier recognition of her symptoms and risk factors may have changed her journey significantly. She highlights the need for greater awareness of conditions such as microvascular angina and INOCA, which are not widely understood despite affecting many women.
Nicole is passionate about raising awareness and contributing to improved education and support for women living with similar conditions. She has also expressed interest in engaging further with Her Heart’s work and community.