The American Red Cross says heart disease is a leading cause of maternal mortality in the United States. For one Brigham City mother, the warning signs came just days after giving birth.
Cecy Wells suffered a life-threatening postpartum cardiac emergency in 2017 after delivering her child at Ogden Regional Medical Hospital. Two days after the birth, she began to experience chest pain and shortness of breath, which ultimately ended up as cardiogenic shock.
Her heart was failing.
Doctors implanted what’s called an Impella device, the world’s smallest heart pump, to help her recover. It was later discovered Wells had severe blockages in every major artery of her heart.
Nearly eight years later, Wells is sharing her story on Thrive with Kailey Ann to raise awareness about postpartum cardiac emergencies and what she wants every mother to know.
