It was the day after Thanksgiving, and Sara was getting her home ready for the holiday season. As she decorated, she felt her heart begin to race. At first, she brushed it aside—palpitations weren’t unfamiliar to her as a registered nurse. But when her breathing grew shallow and her heart rate surged to 190 beats per minute, she knew this wasn’t something to ignore.

With years of clinical experience behind her, Sara recognized the possibilities immediately: supraventricular tachycardia or possibly atrial fibrillation. At the emergency room tests confirmed it—she was in atrial fibrillation.

“I worked in electrophysiology for 17 years, so atrial fibrillation was nothing new,” Sara said. “But I’m like, oh my goodness—when we say it doesn’t discriminate, we mean it. It doesn’t matter if you’re female or male, younger or older. Atrial fibrillation can happen to anyone.”

Becoming the patient gave Sara a new perspective. She paid closer attention to her health and her family’s heart history. Three years later, she scheduled an appointment at Iowa Heart Center’s Prevention and Wellness clinic when new symptoms appeared, which led to her diagnosis of a non-obstructive coronary disease.

She understood the procedures, but living through them reshaped the way she connects with the people she serves.

The advocate in her wants others to feel empowered, not ashamed, when seeking care. “These patients coming in probably have a strong family history. They may already be carrying diagnoses of high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, obesity, sleep apnea, tobacco abuse—you name it,” she said. “Patients often don’t want to come in because they feel like we’re going to slap their hands with shame. But it’s not about shame. It’s, ‘Here’s where you are—now what can we do to show improvement?’ Being able to say, ‘Hey, I’m in the same boat as you,’ helps make things relatable and gives a softer delivery for the patient.”

Today, Sara brings that lived experience and empathy to her role as the nurse navigator for cardiac specialties at MercyOne Iowa Heart Center. Her work is essential: coordinating cardiac MRIs, overseeing genetic testing, supporting the structural heart team with atrial septal defect and patent foramen ovale closures, and playing a key role in the prevention and wellness clinic.

Sara’s journey is a reminder that heart conditions can touch anyone — even those who dedicate their lives to caring for others. And because of that, she is more committed than ever to helping patients understand their risks, ask questions, and take charge of their heart health with confidence.