healthy people
REAL STORIES ABOUT REAL CHOICES
MY SMART CHOICES: Meet Kathy
How a marathon runner listened to her body and saved her life.
KATHY MAUSSHARDT, 50
Program Director, Residential Treatment Facility for Troubled Teens, Oakland, California
The website says, “In the countryside of Sonoma County, there is a place dedicated to helping children and families in need.” That’s where Kathy’s story begins. It’s the story of a woman who has dedicated her career to helping others, and how she learned to help herself.
I love my job.
I work with troubled teenagers, parents, probation officers, social workers and therapists. The kids I work with are courageous warriors. They’ve endured horrible suffering, and they’ve had to make drastic changes in their lives. I get to be part of that journey of change; just by showing up, loving them, setting limits and being a positive role model. At the same time, my job is incredibly stressful. Every day is emotionally charged.
I was ignoring all the signs and my family’s history.
About four years ago, I started waking up with a pressure on my chest, like a baby was sleeping on me. Then I started noticing that my chest felt tight at work, sometimes I felt dizzy and my heart would race. Both of my parents were diagnosed with high blood pressure in their 40s, but I considered myself fit. I’ve run since high school and done marathons since my 20s.
One day it all changed.
I ended up in the ER after a blood-pressure check at work showed 180/120. I knew I had to quit ignoring this and see my doctor.
Getting it right was trial and error.
I tried four different medicines before I found the right combination. I got a blood pressure cuff, took readings three times a day and shared the information with my doctor. Now I’m on two blood pressure medicines, and my blood pressure is stabilized.
What works for me.
I try to exercise five times a week for 40-45 minutes. I watch what I eat and stay away from salt, sugar, alcohol and coffee. But I can’t change the stress at work. So I’ve started taking longer walks by the water and consistently going to yoga classes. And on really stressful days, I close my office door, lie down on the ground, breathe deeply and meditate. In 20 minutes, my blood pressure will be back in the normal range.
I tell this to my friends.
Just because you eat well and exercise, don’t ignore symptoms. Listen to your body. Go to the doctor at least once a year. If you’re 40 or older and high blood pressure is in your family, buy a home blood pressure cuff and check your pressure periodically. Finding out you have high blood pressure and treating it could potentially save you from a stroke or heart attack.
Great truths I’ve learned.
At times, I felt powerless and frustrated. I didn’t like putting medicine into my body. But then I realized I needed an attitude adjustment. You can take control of a health condition with medicine. Don’t focus on what is not working; focus on what is working. You always have that choice. There is so much more to life than your health condition. You’re alive. Every day is such a gift. I wake up; I breathe the air; and I’m aware of the preciousness of life and relationships.
54 HEALTHYADVICE.COM
PHOTOGRAPH BY THOMAS BROENING
HAIR & MAKEUP: RACINE CHRISTENSEN
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