At only 26, Rachel Freedman felt like she had the energy of someone much older—possibly in their 50s.
The graduate student from New York City would often find herself breathless after simple activities like climbing subway stairs, running errands, or even showering. During hikes with friends, it was as though a heavy weight was pressing down on her chest, and keeping pace felt nearly impossible.
Initially, Freedman thought her fatigue was just a result of needing to lose some weight. So, she started exercising more, hoping to regain her vitality.
However, after a sudden health scare in May 2019 that sent her to the hospital, an EKG revealed an abnormal heart rhythm.
Though doctors reassured her that it likely wasn’t serious, Freedman’s mother encouraged her to seek additional tests.
Cardiologists at NYU Langone Health conducted an echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound of the heart, and discovered she had obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). This condition causes the heart walls to thicken, gradually blocking blood flow.
This genetic disorder, affecting about one in 500 people, often goes unnoticed, leaving countless individuals unaware until they experience severe complications like heart failure or arrest.
It’s also a leading cause of sudden cardiac deaths among younger individuals, an issue that has become increasingly prominent in the U.S.
Freedman, now 32, reflected, “I had no idea what it was. How could I have this and not know?”
Heart attack rates have surged in the U.S., with studies suggesting a 17 percent increase in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Researchers indicate many of these incidents occurred at home, hinting that previous warning signs or symptoms were overlooked until it was too late.
Doctors informed Freedman that her heart muscle was over 30 millimeters thick—three times thicker than the average healthy person’s, which indicated her condition was quite advanced for her age.
This thickening typically occurs in the septum, the wall separating the heart’s two bottom chambers, crowding the heart’s main pumping chamber. This overwork can lead to erratic heart rhythms, raising the risk of cardiac arrest.
Freedman was soon put on medications to manage her heart rate, lower cholesterol, and help relax her heart. These included beta blockers, blood thinners, and statins. Three months later, she underwent surgery to have a defibrillator implanted in her chest, a device that corrects irregular heart rhythms.
Despite shedding 60 pounds to alleviate some pressure on her heart, her symptoms persisted, and her limitations were significant.
Dr. Daniele Massera, Freedman’s cardiologist, mentioned that she could only walk on the treadmill for six minutes. For a 26-year-old, that was unusually low. She was even experiencing fainting spells, which posed serious risks given her diagnosis.
Freedman was determined to avoid surgery, but her doctor stressed the dangers of fainting with such a condition.
In August 2020, 15 months post-diagnosis, Freedman underwent a septal myectomy, a surgery that removes part of the thickened heart tissue. Typically lasting three to four hours, the procedure marked a turning point for her.
She followed up with four months of cardiac rehabilitation, focusing on light exercise and nutritional education.
Fast forward nearly five years, and Freedman can now hike with her friends and navigate stairs without needing to pause for breath. The chest pain that once plagued her is gone, and now she even prefers to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge rather than take the subway.
In 2022, she got married and is currently pursuing a master’s degree to become a high school guidance counselor.
Expressing her gratitude, Freedman said, “To my doctors, I’d say, ‘Not only did you save my life, you changed my life.'”
