Denied, Misdiagnosed, Survived: A Latina Woman’s Fight for Her Heart and Her Voice
Diseases
Heart Disease
Issues and Challenges
Ari has encountered: Access to Expert Providers, Access to Medicine, Insurance Issues, Discrimination (nonmedical), Job Insecurity / Loss, Medical Discrimination, Prior Authorization, Step-Therapy / Fail First, Underserved Community
My Story
At 28, I found myself in the midst of a whirlwind. Pregnant and in the grip of premature labor, I was hit with a shocking revelation…a heart disease diagnosis. Already in a fragile state, I faced an uphill battle to get the treatment I needed, pleading with my insurance company to clear my Pre-Authorization to be seen by a cardiologist and at a minimum receive much needed heart medication. The experience was a testament to the challenges patients face when insurance bureaucracy acts as a barrier to proper healthcare.
My battle with heart disease was marked by misdiagnosis and failed procedures. I flatlined during my second heart ablation, only to discover I had been misdiagnosed with left-sided heart disease. The shock was overwhelming. Determined to find the right treatment, I advocated for myself. I rescheduled procedures, received second opinions and sought out the best specialists available. My persistence led me to a renowned expert who identified my true condition and provided life saving care.
This decade long journey has shaped my mission as a heart disease survivor and patient advocate. The challenges I've faced serve as a stark reminder that women's health concerns often go dismissed, with our pain attributed to stress or dismissed altogether.
Statistics reveal that one in three women will die of heart disease, yet I was repeatedly told that my chest pain was "normal." This systemic bias must be challenged and eliminated, and access to quality care prioritized.
I am grateful to be here today, sharing my story as a proud Latina and amplifying the voices of those in need.
My Motivation and Inspiration
My experiences have fueled my dedication to breaking down barriers to access care, especially among Hispanic/Latino patients.
My journey has been marked by the love and support of family, friends, and allies. Together, we can ensure that stories like mine become rarer, as we demand quality care, equitable access to treatment, and increased awareness of the challenges faced by diverse communities.
Most recently, my mother has also struggled with cardiovascular disease, as she too was forced through the maze of insurance denials and delayed treatment.
Her pain mirrored mine, and it was clear that our experiences were far from unique, particularly in the Latino community.
I am her. She is me. You make WE. Turning our collective pain into purpose.
By sharing our stories and standing strong in the face of adversity, we can make a difference and create a more compassionate healthcare landscape for all.
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