Karen Christensen, Connecticut

I am a volunteer with the American Heart Association and a true believer in its mission.  I have participated as a Team Captain for the Heart Walk in West Haven, am looking to expand my activity in the “You’re the Cure” network, and am examining ways I can assist in the Fairfield Walk.

This is a labor of love because I have been personally impacted by heart disease and my goal is to help others who faced similar cardiovascular issues.

I was born with a heart defect.  At the age of six, I had open heart surgery at Yale New Haven Hospital.  Thanks to the brilliant doctors at Yale New Haven Hospital, who gave me the opportunity to live a full life, I became a professional ice skater with the Ice Capades. 

However, in my adult life, I am again faced with heart disease – after 22 cardioversions and 2 ablations, I am still going strong!  I live each day in atrial fibrillation.  

I am patiently waiting for a medical breakthrough that will make my heart beat in sinus rhythm. Until that day comes, I am committed to working with the American Heart Association to achieve its 2020 goal;

improving the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20 percent while reducing deaths from cardiovascular diseases and stroke by 20 percent.