Amy Nartatez Heinl is a single mother of three. She lives in Pittsburgh and works at S&T Bank in Indiana as senior vice president and deputy chief risk officer.
She could be your relative, coworker, or friend.
Her family history was free of heart disease. She exercised regularly. She had no warning signs of a problem.
But at age 40, she nearly died of a heart condition known as spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD)—when the coronary artery suddenly develops a tear, causing blood to flow between the layers of the artery wall, forcing them apart. The condition can block the flow of blood through the artery and cause a heart attack.
Heinl, now a spokesperson for the American Heart Association, says she is lucky to be alive. Three months after being in the hospital, she ran her first 5K. And she's looking forward to a bright future with her sons, Austin, Michael, and Devin.
Learn more about Heinl's story when the 1991 IUP Accounting graduate returns to her alma mater to give the keynote speech during the annual Women's Conference on May 29, 2013, at the Kovalchick Complex.