26 Jul 2013

Rebecca Smith Casey, New Jersey

Rebecca was a 15 year old sophomore at South Hunterdon Regional High School when she began experiencing dizzy spells and black outs during field hockey practice. Her coach recommended getting her blood sugar checked. However the symptoms persisted. While at rest, her heart would start racing and she would get tunnel vision and faint.

Tests revealed that Rebecca had supraventricular tachycardia, a heart arrhythmia, that required her to undergo cardiac ablation. After the procedure, Rebecca was no longer able to participate in high school sports and doctors feared that she might have limitation that would make it dangerous to drive or have children.

Rebecca had a second ablation procedure performed at age 30 and she still struggles with irregular heartbeats and low blood pressure. However, she continues to see her doctor regularly to monitor her condition and she exercises regularly.

Despite her challenges, Rebecca persisted and has thrived personally and professionally. Despite doctors’ fears, she was cleared to drive at age 16. She graduated from college, earned a masters’ degree and a law degree and is currently a doctoral candidate in combined and integrated school and clinical psychology at Kean University.

Rebecca is very involved in a number of charitable causes. When she began experiencing difficulties due to her condition while training for a *** cancer walk, she decided to get involved with the American Heart Association. She has recently been involved in the Greater Mercer County Heart Walk, You’re the Cure on the Hill 2013 and was invited in February 2012 to attend a briefing on cardiovascular health at the White House.

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Advocate Stories Advocate Issue - Heart Disease and Stroke Research Advocate State - NJ

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