As I reflect on my journey with heart failure, I am reminded of the importance of listening to one's body and seeking medical attention when symptoms persist. For me, it was a series of events that led to my diagnosis.

At first, I thought I could handle whatever was going on by myself. I believed in my ability to heal quickly and didn't think much of my fatigue and shortness of breath. But as the summer wore on and my symptoms persisted, I knew something was amiss.

After an initial pulmonology test showed no issues with my lungs, further testing revealed a cardiologist's diagnosis: heart failure. The news came as a shock, as I had been told by my primary care physician that I likely had asthma or allergies. It wasn't until additional testing and a chest X-ray that the true nature of my condition was revealed.

As a professor at Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia, I am no stranger to hard work and a busy schedule. But I had never experienced fatigue like this before. I thought it was just exhaustion from my hectic lifestyle, but as it turned out, it was so much more.

In the summer of 2016, I started experiencing fatigue and shortness of breath while training for my seventh marathon. It was then that I realized something was seriously wrong. The diagnosis of heart failure came as a surprise, especially given my otherwise healthy lifestyle.

Looking back, I can see that there were warning signs all along. But at the time, I was too focused on my busy professional life to notice them. As someone who is used to being in control and taking care of myself, it was humbling to realize that sometimes we need help from others to get better.

My experience has taught me the importance of listening to one's body and seeking medical attention when symptoms persist. It may seem like nothing at first, but trust your instincts and don't be afraid to ask for help. After all, all my patients are women - but heart failure doesn't discriminate based on gender or age.

All my patients are women