As a device nurse in electrophysiology at MercyOne Iowa Heart Center, Dusti spends her days caring for patients with complex heart conditions. She knows the rhythms of the heart better than most—how they can shift, how they can warn, how they can save a life. But one day, her own heart sent a message she couldn’t ignore.

She began feeling the familiar flutter of supraventricular tachycardia. Symptomatic and concerned, she went to her primary care provider. After a routine check, she was referred to the cardiology team at Iowa Heart Center for a closer look.

During her exam, the cardiologist heard a murmur. An echocardiogram confirmed: Dusti had a bicuspid aortic valve—a congenital condition that will eventually require valve replacement surgery.

With her clinical background, she understands her diagnosis, the risks, and the steps she can take to protect her heart. And she’s not alone. Every day, she meets patients who have walked the path she may one day walk herself.

“I run across a fair number of patients with defibrillators and pacemakers who’ve had aortic valve replacement surgery,” Dusti said. “A lot of times I pick their brain—how they started to feel, their symptoms, what procedure they had, if there were any complications. You can develop heart blocks during surgery, and that’s why some patients need a pacemaker. But it’s good to hear other people’s experiences. It’s good to see that they’re doing well afterward.”

Those conversations fuel her hope. They also deepen her commitment to prevention—something she believes every person can take into their own hands.

As a mother of two and a runner, Dusti knows how much strength comes from taking care of your heart before a crisis ever begins. “I think it really drives home for people to understand that it starts with you,” she said. “You need to make the right food choices, not smoke, avoid high-fatty foods, and get up and move around. I think it’s important for people to understand the prevention of heart disease.”

Dusti’s story is a reminder that with awareness, early detection, and healthy habits, we can change the trajectory of our own heart health.