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Young woman's heart failure misdiagnosed as gallbladder issue
9 Jun
Summary
- A 23-year-old's severe abdominal pain was misdiagnosed as a gallbladder problem.
- She was actually suffering from end-stage heart failure with restrictive cardiomyopathy.
- Young Canadians are increasingly diagnosed with heart failure, not just an 'older person's disease'.
In late 2020, Jenny Milne, then 23, presented with severe abdominal pain and swelling, initially diagnosed as a gallbladder issue. This misdiagnosis persisted for four months. Milne was actually experiencing end-stage heart failure, specifically restrictive cardiomyopathy, a rare condition causing rigid ventricle walls and restricted blood flow. Her symptoms presented atypically, with fluid retention in her abdomen and lungs instead of the legs.
Her journey to diagnosis began when worsening asthma symptoms prompted a visit to her GP in February 2021. A 24-hour heart monitor revealed her heart rate consistently exceeded 150 beats per minute. By February 24, 2021, she was officially diagnosed with end-stage heart failure. This diagnosis led to further complications, including a pulmonary embolism.
At 24, Milne underwent successful mitral valve replacement surgery on March 1, 2022, which put her heart failure into remission. Now 29, she advocates with the Canadian Cardiovascular Society, emphasizing that heart failure affects younger Canadians and is a growing concern. Statistics show rising hospitalizations for heart failure among adults aged 20-39, underscoring the need for greater awareness and medical attention for all age groups.
