Women’s Health Month: TTUHSC Experts Highlight Gender Disparities in Heart Health Awareness
A Survivor and Advocate Shares Her Tale of Life-Saving Persistence
Prim Naegele had just switched seats with her teenage daughter during a road trip when she first felt pain in her chest and on the left side of her neck. It was the beginning of a 19-day odyssey that ultimately changed and saved her life.
“I thought, you know, that's kind of weird, but kind of blew it off as just anxiety with a new driver and thinking that was it,” she recalled.
When the 45-year-old experienced the pain again the next day, she went to a nearby clinic. All her bloodwork and a battery of tests, including an EKG, came back normal.
“I have no family history of heart disease,” Naegele said. “I'm not a smoker. My cholesterol is great. My blood pressure is great. They recommended that I get a stress test in the next six months or so.”
