Fox NFL reporter Erin Hartigan has opened up about her life-changing heart disease diagnosis, revealing that she was told she had a 50/50 chance of survival after undergoing emergency surgery.
Hartigan, who has been a fixture on the NFL sidelines for over a decade, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of heart disease called Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) in 2020. The condition causes the heart muscle to thicken, making it harder for the heart to pump blood effectively.
In an interview with People Magazine, Hartigan revealed that she had been experiencing symptoms for months before her diagnosis, including chest pain and shortness of breath. Despite her concerns, she initially brushed off her symptoms, thinking they were related to her busy work schedule.
However, things took a turn for the worse when Hartigan suffered a severe episode of chest pain while on a flight to a game. She was rushed to the hospital, where doctors discovered that her heart was severely enlarged and that she was at risk of going into cardiac arrest at any moment.
Hartigan underwent emergency surgery to repair her heart, and was told that she had a 50/50 chance of survival. She spent several days in the ICU, where she was hooked up to a ventilator and underwent rounds of medication to stabilize her heart.
Despite the dire prognosis, Hartigan made a remarkable recovery, and was eventually able to return to work. She has since become an advocate for heart health, using her platform to raise awareness about the importance of early detection and treatment of heart disease.
Hartigan’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of listening to our bodies and seeking medical attention when we experience unusual symptoms. Her bravery and resilience in the face of adversity are an inspiration to us all.
