While Bailey sees a fairly equal number of male and female patients, she said she sees more women and less men under the age of 50.

Those untreated heart attacks are not without harm. Bailey explained how the heart muscle can become scarred after a heart attack which cannot be reversed. It’ s all the more reason to seek early care and to take care of one ' s self.

Full Circle

“ We cannot care for our children. We can’ t care for our loved ones, our elderly

parents, if we don’ t take care of ourselves," said Bailey. " Sometimes taking care of ourselves is the least selfish thing we can do."

As for Popplewell,“ I really appreciate God’ s hand in keeping me through it all," she said. " I know it may have been avoided if I had just taken the time to listen to my body and had taken care of me.”

Popplewell urged women to take care of themselves, even in the midst of busy lives.

“ A heart attack can sneak up on women because we think we are invincible. A little pain will go away," she said. " We get sick, we keep

going. We are tired, we keep going. We may have kids, we keep going. We may even go through breast cancer and chemo and radiation, but we... keep... going.”

Accessibility is important. Talking to your provider is important. Visiting a local health fair and taking advantage of free screenings can be important. At the practice where she works, Bailey said they are fully staffed with a cardiologist( Dr. Michael McKinney), and five nurse practitioners. They have the ability to see referrals as quickly as the same week. If you suspect a heart

attack, call 911 so you can be assessed and monitored by EMS, while being taken to the nearest hospital. Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital is an Accredited Chest Pain Center with immediate access to treatment for blocked arteries.

Popplewell could easily have been one of those“ one-in-five " statistics Bailey mentioned had she not acted sooner.

“ We are worth so much more than we realize,” Popplewell said.“ I still have a lot of work to do on myself but I am trying to do better this year and make ' me ' a priority.”