Mother with serious heart disease speaks out (From Stroud News and Journal)

Mother with serious heart disease speaks out

5:31pm Monday 29th September 2008 in Search By Rachel Clare

A Painswick mother whose life changed dramatically after she developed a serious heart muscle disease three years ago has spoken out about how it affected her life.

Jayne Knowles-Smith, 48, of Pullens Road, Painswick, was 45 when she began feeling breathless and tired. At night she felt like she was choking, which made it difficult to sleep.

She says: “I felt so awful at times I thought I was going to die, but still looked so well it was difficult for my family and friends to understand.”

As she got worse her blood pressure got higher, her ankles became swollen and she could barely walk 100 yards.

Jayne, who has grown up children Katie, 28, and Michael, 24, said: “When I was visiting my late father at Stroud Hospital a nurse told me she was concerned about my breathlessness.”

Tests at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital showed she had dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition that causes the heart to enlarge and pump less strongly.

This year, despite trying to get on with life and enjoying holidays and short breaks with friends, Jayne's condition has fluctuated and she is now waiting to see experts at the Heart Hospital in London.

Jayne said: “I am often very tired and I know my condition is not improving but my friends have been very supportive and I am determined to cope with it and live as full a life as possible.”

For more information visit www.cardiomyopathy.org or call 0800 0181 024.