Maricar knows all too well that listening to your body and taking care of your heart is key to making the most of life.
During 2013, she noticed her health going downhill and was diagnosed with a hole (an atrial septal defect or ASD) – the size of a 20 cent piece – in her heart. At Wellington Regional Hospital in August 2014, she had an operation involving the application of a patch over the ASD which closed the hole.
“It was non-invasive surgery in that I didn’t need open-heart surgery and it was done quickly, only requiring one night in hospital,” she says. “I did have some complications about a month afterwards with a clot in my eye but that’s something which happens to a few patients having this sort of surgery. It took me about a year to recover, but I no longer need to be on heart medication. As part of my recovery, I started off with short walks which grew into an interest in running. I love running now and with the help of a great running coach and my running partner – my husband – I’ find I’m running further as time goes on. I’m also loving mountain biking.”
“I’m living my best life. Since the procedure more than a decade ago, I’ve challenged myself year after year to take on challenges. I’ve participated in nearly 30 sports events which includes six half marathons and one full marathon last year when I turned 50. It took me six hours to finish the race but worth all the effort especially when I reached the finish line and was awarded my medal.
“This operation changed my life in so many ways and it’s enhanced my overall quality of life which I’m forever grateful for. Now I’m much more active and can do physical pursuits, as well as work full time as a Management Accountant. I also operate my dairy farming business with my husband so it’s given me back everything that was important to me.”
“My husband and I immigrated to New Zealand many years ago from the Philippines and we’ve worked very hard. Huge thanks to the team at Health NZ for giving me a second chance to have a brilliant life here. They did a great job of looking after my welfare right from the time I was diagnosed with the heart disease up until my post procedure follow-ups. I am also so thankful for the prayers and endearing support of my husband, Jonathan, my mom and the rest of my family to help me fully recover from my surgery.”
“I did know about heart health as I had experience of it in my family. The best advice I ever got was from my dad who died of a heart disease at the age of 72. Ever since I was a kid he always told me to ‘live life to the fullest – enjoy and savour every minute of it’.”
Looking to the future, Maricar continues to be an inspiration. She will be running three half marathons in 2025 alone - in Christchurch, Te Anau and Queenstown. She’s also building up to doing three more full marathons so she can say she’s completed all events in the Runaway Marathon Series, an achievement which comes with a shiny new medal!
Maricar’s best advice is “Love your heart – you’ve only got one”.
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Caption: Maricar and her husband. | Caption: Medals Maricar has already won | Caption: On the farm. |
