The Jamaica Star :: News :: Heart patient seeks help

Barbara McKenzie - contributed

Barbara McKenzie thought for many years that her shortness of breath was caused by asthma. However, about six years ago, she discovered that it was really due to a serious heart condition.

She was diagnosed with asthma in 1988 and, although doctors felt their diagnosis was incorrect, they could not find an alternative condition which matched the symptoms.

However, in 2002, after doing surgery, doctors then discovered that her heart was beating way too fast and putting her other organs at risk. "I did a surgery in 2002... when I go for treatment and they do an x-ray, they say I don't have asthma," she said.

Shortness of breath

She was diagnosed with syncope dilated cardio-myopathy and pulmonary embolism.

Wikepedia.com describes syncope dilated cardio-myopathy as, "a condition in which the heart becomes weakened and enlarged, and cannot pump blood efficiently. The decreased heart function can affect the lungs, liver, and other body systems."

Although the illness causes some amount of discomfort, it was greater when she thought she had asthma. "I was always hungry and so I (used to) boil ginger tea till I fool. I had a terrible shortness of breath. There were many nights when I had to sit up and sleep because it was so bad," she said.

She says the pulmonary embolism caused her blood to clot on her lungs and sometimes other parts of her body.

Major problem

Last year, she discovered that she needed a pacemaker to slow down her heartbeats, thereby making it easier for her to breathe and reducing the risk to her life.

There is, however, one major problem preventing her access to this treatment. She needs $1.6 million to purchase the pacemaker, a sum she does not have. Being a mother, it is difficult for her to afford this by herself.

Her co-workers at the Court Reporting Department of the Supreme Court of Jamaica have been very helpful in assisting her to reach this goal. They have held fundraisers and collected funds, which so far total $200,000.

They still need the help of the public to reach the mark. McKenzie says the sooner she is able to purchase the machine and have the surgery done, the sooner the quality of her life will improve. Persons wishing to assist may make donations to the Scotia Bank account 411072. It is based at Brown's Town Branch in St Ann.