Anatomy of a Leader with Maria Hvorostovsky Fit at 42. Then Diagnosed | Mitral Valve Prolapse (Pt 1)
I never thought heart disease would be part of my story.
At 42, in the best shape of my life, I was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse and severe regurgitation. What started as a strange episode during a workout turned into months of fear, waiting, uncertainty, and eventually heart surgery.
This is Part 1 of My Heart Story. In this episode of Anatomy of a Leader, I share what it was really like to be diagnosed with a heart condition at 42 — from early symptoms and medical tests to the emotional impact of living with uncertainty while raising young children and running a business.
This is the beginning of a deeper series about fear, vulnerability, healing, and what happens when your body forces you to slow down and listen.
This is not medical advice. This is my real story — shared in the hope that it helps someone feel less alone, recognise symptoms earlier, or feel brave enough to get checked.
In this episode I talk about:
– Mitral valve prolapse diagnosis
– Heart palpitations and symptoms
– ECG and echocardiogram experience
– Waiting for cardiology appointments
– Anxiety and fear after diagnosis
– Exercising with a heart condition
– Women’s heart health being underdiagnosed
– Why “being strong” can make illness lonelier
00:00 Thought Heart Disease Was an Old Man’s Problem
00:51 I Was Physically Fit & Healthy
01:20 The Workout That Changed Everything
01:56 Why I Nearly Ignored The Symptoms
03:14 Going To The GP
03:45 ECG Referral & Experience
06:11 Echo Referral & Experience
09:03 Hearing “Mitral Valve Prolapse”
09:50 Waiting, Fear & Not Knowing
13:00 Anxiety vs Heart Condition
13:23 Tachycardia, A&E & Health System
14:21 Symptoms of Mitral Valve Prolapse
16:12 Exercise Regularly & Monitor
17:49 Exercising With A Heart Condition
18:39 Loss Of Control & Trust
20:38 Women’s Heart Health Being Missed
23:10 What I Wish I’d Known
25:15 If You’re Ignoring Symptoms — Please Listen
Follow Maria Hvorostovsky:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/anatomyofaleader/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/mariahvorostovsky/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mariahvorostovsky/
Website: https://www.anatomyofaleader.com/
Artwork and video by https://www.londonbeautyphotographer.com/
If you’re living with a heart condition, supporting someone who is, or ignoring symptoms because life feels too busy — this episode is for you.
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💬 Leave a comment if you’ve experienced something similar or have any questions — I read them all.