From Loss to Life Mission: Ashleigh's Message for World Heart Day

On September 29, World Heart Day, Ashleigh not only celebrates her birthday but also mourns the loss of her younger brother, Scott. Fifteen years ago, on this very day, she lost him to an undetected heart condition. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of heart health.

Ashleigh grew up in a family with seven children. Birthdays were always special occasions for her—filled with chaos, laughter, and love. "We were a happy family. I loved having my siblings around me, especially on my birthdays," Ashleigh recalls. But her 20th birthday would change everything.

It was just before midnight when Ashleigh, then a university student, received a call from her younger sister. "Something’s wrong with Scott," she heard her sister say. Scott, Ashleigh’s 17-year-old brother, was an athletic young man training for a marathon. That evening, he had gone for a jog and never returned. Their father found him lifeless on the school’s running track. Despite immediate assistance, it was too late to save him.
 

He Could Still Be Alive

Scott died from an undiagnosed heart muscle disease, which was only identified after his passing: his heart muscle was abnormally thickened, restricting blood flow. He quite literally had an oversized heart, which, in severe cases like his, can be fatal. "His death might have been preventable," Ashleigh says today. Heart ultrasounds, known as echocardiograms, can detect such conditions early on. However, these types of screenings are rarely standard—after birth, the heart is hardly ever routinely checked. "We often know very little about our own heart health. Echocardiograms should be as routine as other medical check-ups," Ashleigh explains. These examinations could save lives, especially among young, active individuals whose symptoms—such as a drop in performance, dizziness after exertion, or persistent breathlessness—are often misinterpreted as conditions like asthma.

Follow Your Heart and Take Action

In the years following Scott’s death, Ashleigh developed a clear message: "Follow your heart the way you follow your favorite band or sports team. Be your own advocate and demand medical check-ups." An electrocardiogram (ECG), commonly used to detect irregular heart rhythms, is often not sufficient to identify structural heart issues. "Only an echocardiogram can show how the heart muscle truly functions. It’s better to be safe than sorry," Ashleigh emphasizes.

Ashleigh’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of heart health. Her loss remains painful, but she has transformed it into a mission. "I hope that by sharing Scott’s story, other lives can be saved." She urges everyone: "Pay attention to your heart. Advocate for your heart health and that of your loved ones. If you have any concerns, ask your general practitioner for a referral to a cardiologist today."

If you want to approach your general practitioner with specific suggestions for a referral to a cardiologist, you can find a Swiss map with selected contact details here.
 

About Ashleigh

In 2022, Ashleigh joined the Commercial Leadership Program at the biopharmaceutical company Bristol Myers Squibb, drawn by the company’s work in cardiovascular diseases. She is currently working at the Swiss branch of the company in Steinhausen.