From misdiagnosed heart attack to patient advocacy superhero

Days after giving birth to her precious daughter, Rhonda Monroe knew something was terribly wrong.

This fit 36-year-old mother of three had just finished nursing her newborn when “it suddenly felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest. I broke out into a sweat, I had numbness and tingling in my arm and I thought, ‘I’m having a heart attack,’ ” Rhonda recalls from that day 20 years ago.

Paramedics confirmed the heart attack with an electrocardiogram - or EKG - and Rhonda was rushed to the hospital by ambulance, sirens blaring.

“I was having the classic Hollywood heart attack, but at the hospital they looked at me and said ‘we don’t think you are having a heart attack,’ and sent me home. In spite of empirical evidence, they dismissed me.”

Symptoms persisted and Rhonda repeatedly sought treatment, at the hospital and with a general practitioner. Each time, her symptoms were dismissed.

After enduring symptoms for seven days, Rhonda returned to the hospital and was finally seen by a cardiologist. Armed with biomarker tests that detect signs of heart attack in the blood, the doctor confirmed what Rhonda already knew - she had been having a heart attack for a week.

She was rushed into emergency quadruple bypass surgery which failed, resulting in more surgery and repeated strokes. Through cardiac rehab, including exercise, medication, education and personal support, Rhonda envisioned herself returning to good health.

She was not aware, however, that she could still face heart failure from the damage caused by her misdiagnosed heart attack. Sharp pain nine months later revealed that her heart had stopped pumping enough blood and was failing. A heart transplant was suggested, but she battled back through additional procedures and more cardiac rehab.

Rhonda survived it all and emerged as an expert in cardiac disease who empowers other patients around the world.

Today Rhonda advocates for access to improved diagnostic tools - including cardiac biomarkers - to help level the playing field for all patients.

“Had the healthcare system paid attention to my EKG and my blood tests, it could have saved my heart muscle.” 

Her patient advocacy started while she was still in the hospital. “I felt alone throughout my journey. I was determined that if I survived that I wouldn’t let it happen to anyone else on my watch,” says Rhonda, who had a business career in finance and economics prior to her medical journey. 

She started talking to people in her community about the importance of self-advocacy.

Rhonda shared her experience through advocacy organisations and in the media. In 2019, she took her involvement to the next level through a non-profit organisation she founded called BOOST - Better Outcomes Optimal Scientific Therapy. 

She has advised the U.S. Food & Drug Administration on patient-related topics and is proposing a program to improve patient engagement. Rhonda brings the patient perspective to cardiac researchers and provides input to clinical study design.

She advocates for cardiac biomarker tests for all patients. “It is important that patients have access to tools that help diagnose and then help us manage the disease.”

Rhonda, whose health has been stable for a decade, finds joy in infusing her passion for supporting patients with her personal health journey. 

What message does she have for patients? 

“Trust your gut. You know yourself and you know when something is wrong. Seek help until you get it and be an active and informed partner in your care. It can save your life.”