Fit at 42. Then Diagnosed | Mitral Valve Prolapse (Pt 1)

<p>I never thought heart disease would be part of my story. </p><p><br></p><p>At 42, in the best shape of my life, I was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse and severe regurgitation. What started as a strange episode during a workout turned into months of fear, waiting, uncertainty, and eventually heart surgery. </p><p><br></p><p> This is Part 1 of My Heart Story. In this episode of Anatomy of a Leader, I share what it was really like to be diagnosed with a heart condition at 42 — from early symptoms and medical tests to the emotional impact of living with uncertainty while raising young children and running a business. </p><p><br></p><p>This is the beginning of a deeper series about fear, vulnerability, healing, and what happens when your body forces you to slow down and listen.</p><p><br></p><p>This is not medical advice. This is my real story — shared in the hope that it helps someone feel less alone, recognise symptoms earlier, or feel brave enough to get checked.</p><p><br></p><p>In this episode I talk about: </p><p>– Mitral valve prolapse diagnosis </p><p>– Heart palpitations and symptoms </p><p>– ECG and echocardiogram experience </p><p>– Waiting for cardiology appointments </p><p>– Anxiety and fear after diagnosis </p><p>– Exercising with a heart condition </p><p>– Women’s heart health being underdiagnosed </p><p>– Why “being strong” can make illness lonelier</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Follow Maria Hvorostovsky:</p><p>IG: https://www.instagram.com/anatomyofaleader/</p><p>IG: https://www.instagram.com/mariahvorostovsky/</p><p>LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/</p><p>TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mariahvorostovsky/</p><p>Website: https://www.anatomyofaleader.com/</p><p><br></p><p>Artwork and video by https://www.londonbeautyphotographer.com/</p><p><br></p><p>💗 Follow for honest conversations about leadership, health, emotions and real life.</p>