Survivor advocates for heart health awareness

Survivor advocates for heart health awareness
DAYTON, Ohio — A southwest Ohio mother is sharing her near-death experience after being diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Sharon Starks is an educational assistant at Summit Academy in Dayton, a school for children with special needs.

Teaching is in her DNA, as her father was a board member for East Cleveland City Schools.

“It’s always been a passion of mine to help children,” Starks said.

Back in 2013, Starks experienced a life-threatening health scare shortly after the birth of her son Jeremiah.

“We thought it was an upper respiratory infection that turned into some type of pneumonia,” she said.

Having trouble breathing, she initially thought she was dealing with complications from asthma. Doctors found it was much worse.

“(They said) you’re in heart failure,” Starks said. “Your heart is only pumping at 15%.”

Starks was shocked and afraid.

“Worrying that I wasn’t going to be here for my son,” Starks said. “He was a baby. It was just hard to imagine him being here and not knowing who his mother was.”At just 26 years old, doctors diagnosed her with postpartum dilated cardiomyopathy.

“Dilated cardiomyopathy is the leading cause for needing a heart transplant,” Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Professor and Dr. Ray Hershberger said.

OSU’s recent study shows DCM is affecting Black people disproportionately.

“The risk of dilated cardiomyopathy was almost 40% in Black families, was still about 30% in white families, so significant risk in both, but more so in Black families,” Hershberger said.

Research hasn’t provided a direct answer to why just yet, but doctors recognize genetics as a key factor, which makes Starks worry her son could be affected too.

“My maternal grandmother had a massive heart attack and died at the age of 29,” she said. “My mother was diagnosed with coronary heart disease and had double bypass surgery at the age of 44. So there is a strong heart disease history in my family.”

Even after she was fitted with a pacemaker, her heart kept stopping. Her condition required a heart transplant after she coded seven times, but since she was overweight, she could not receive one.

After bariatric surgery, her condition improved. She lost over 100 pounds and no longer needed a transplant.

Now looking back on the ordeal, she said knowing your family history and getting screened are the most effective ways to stay ahead of the game.

“Families, we have to talk to each other about our past, about what has gone on health-wise, because it can affect our future generations,” Starks said.

Starks is now in better health, helping students and her son every day.

“Every day is a blessing from God,” she said.

Hershberger said knowing your family history and getting screened are the two most important ways to stay ahead of heart disease. If you are concerned about your health, contact your primary care provider.