February 3, 2024
The brand new mother skilled spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), a uncommon coronary heart situation inflicting tears within the arteries feeding the center muscle.
Naiya Atkins has endured an arduous medical journey since giving delivery to her son one yr in the past in February 2023. The primary-time mom from New Jersey is heading house after receiving a lifesaving coronary heart transplant.
Towards harrowing odds, ABC Information reported that Atkins obtained a brand new coronary heart on Jan. 6 after lower than three weeks on the waitlist.
The brand new mother skilled a situation referred to as spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), a uncommon coronary heart situation inflicting tears within the arteries feeding the center muscle.
“I simply felt lightheaded, sizzling, chilly,” Atkins recounted in an interview with WABC. “However you realize, I’m attributing it to ‘I’m a brand new mother.’” Her journey started a bit over two weeks — 17 days — after she delivered her son Joseph Zion Griffith, who’s now one yr previous.
SCAD plunged Atkins right into a medical rollercoaster. She was intermittently hospitalized over a number of months as medical doctors fought to protect her failing coronary heart. The battle reached its lowest in November when her doctor delivered the grave information {that a} transplant was mandatory. Atkins was despatched to Newark Beth Israel Medical Middle, the place she spent the subsequent two months, in accordance with ABC Information.
“I couldn’t imagine it … I had solely been on the record for lower than three weeks,” she stated, in accordance with the information supply. Whereas Atkins soldiered by way of her battle, her husband, Tristan Griffith, raised child Joseph.
“You reside your life a sure means…after which issues occur,” Griffith mirrored on the problems she endured after giving delivery. Now, the reunited household can embrace Atkins’ return and the possibility for her to expertise the thrill of motherhood at house lastly. “I made it by way of,” she declared.
Signs of SCAD may embrace dizziness, ache or strain within the chest, shortness of breath, an upset abdomen, and others, in accordance with the Mayo Clinic.
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