WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — For Hettie Weber, June 20, 2023, began like any other day.
Based in Williamsburg, Weber teaches classes online and that morning, she says she felt discomfort in her arm and what she thought were just hunger pains.
“My husband would say just go to the doctor, and I’d say I have an appointment in two weeks so I’ll just wait," said Weber.
But when the pain didn't go away, she changed her mind and took her husband's advice.
Shortly after they arrived at a Riverside emergency room, they quickly learned the situation was more serious than she thought.
“So my heart just stopped right there," said Weber.
The mother of three children said she collapsed and went into cardiac arrest.
She had a heart attack, and medics saved her life. She was transported to Riverside Regional Medical Center in Newport News and placed in the intensive care unit.
"Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women. So, it is hugely impactful," said Dr. Alexandra Ward, a cardiologist for Riverside Health System.
February is American Heart Month, and Dr. Ward says one in every 3 women will have some form of heart disease in their lifetime, and it also causes 1 in 3 deaths among women each year.
She said it's important to know the signs of issues, like a heart attack, which can be different for men and women.
"We found more recently that women tend to have different symptoms," said Dr. Ward. "They'll have chest discomfort. It may not be as intense. it may be more like a reflection or a burning sensation."
Other signs are shortness of breath, arm discomfort, feeling hot and sweaty, extreme fatigue and nausea.
Ward said it's also important to know your risk by checking with your doctor.
“Up until just a couple hours before I had the cardiac arrest I would have never thought there was something wrong with my heart," said Weber.
Weber wants others to learn from her story, pay attention to the symptoms and seek help.
She later learned she had a clot in her heart, and she's thankful for her husband and the doctors who saved her life.
"I would never ignore my symptoms again," she said.
Dr. Ward said it's also important for people to know CPR in situations like Weber's.
Weber wants to see more AED machines available in public places in case someone goes into cardiac arrest.