A young woman, aged 22, is advising fellow young individuals to trust their instincts after revealing that her symptoms were initially dismissed as anxiety. She later discovered she has a heart condition that makes her feel as though she has just completed a marathon while simply walking down the street.
Abbie Frankum, residing in Leicestershire, underwent a two-year struggle to receive a diagnosis of second-degree type one heart block, a condition characterized by a slow or irregular heartbeat. She believes her concerns were not taken seriously by healthcare professionals initially due to her age, having first noticed issues at 18 years old.
Recounting her experience, Abbie shared, “I began experiencing noticeable heartbeats and extreme fatigue. It felt like my heart was forcefully pounding against my rib cage constantly. Normal activities like walking or doing chores felt like a marathon effort, with my heart struggling to keep pace.”
During this period, Abbie’s confidence waned, and her symptoms hindered her participation in activities she once enjoyed. She expressed, “When my symptoms peaked, I avoided exercise. Despite being active before, I became apprehensive about activities due to palpitations, fast heart rate, and feeling faint.”
She detailed how her job was affected, stating, “Starting a new job, I found it difficult to get up in the mornings, constantly fatigued and breathless. I often called in sick due to this, prompting me to seek medical help.”
Despite her early concerns about her heart, Abbie faced skepticism from her GP, attributing her symptoms to anxiety. It took persistence over two years to undergo tests. “I left appointments feeling dismissed and frustrated due to comments about my age,” she shared. Feeling isolated in her struggle, Abbie was eventually diagnosed with second degree type one heart block in September 2024.
Heart block, as per the NHS, is a condition where the heart beats too slowly or irregularly due to blocked or delayed electrical impulses. Abbie underwent monitoring and was informed of nighttime heart block episodes, explaining her extreme tiredness.
Currently, Abbie has a cardiac monitoring device implanted for continuous monitoring. She takes medication to control her heart rate during the day, easing palpitations. This health journey has reshaped her outlook, emphasizing the importance of seizing each day.
Encouraging others, she said, “I share my story to support young individuals facing disbelief about their health concerns. Trust yourself; advocate for your health because you understand your body best.”