A Wake Forest mother is trying to educate other women about heart disease which kills more women than all cancers combined.
Three years ago, Jill Morin was vacationing with her family when she went into cardiac arrest. "My five-year-old son found me in bed sleeping with my eyes open," said Morin. "He ran and got my daughter who called 911." Morin was only 38-years-old when it happened. "I was in a coma for three days and then miraculously came out of it," said Morin. Jill was raising four kids, worrying about her husband's struggling business and trying to start a new job. "I was taking care of everybody else," explained Morin. But she was ignoring her health. "If I look back on it my mom has family history of it," said Morin.
Morin and her mother Kay LaVelle suffer from the same heart condition called cardiomyopathy.
"I had had it eight years earlier -- almost to the day, but I had it come on slower," said LaVelle.
Morin and her mother are teaming up with the American Heart Association to tell their story and hopefully save others.
"I made it my mission to tell women to get moving, stop smoking and take care of yourself," said Morin.
"It's like being on an airplane," said LaVelle. "If you don't put that mask over your face you're not able to help the rest of the family."
Sloan Garner with the American Heart Association says their story shows heart disease can affect women of any age.
"Heart disease does not discriminate," said Garner. "So at any age you need to be aware of what your risk factors can be and potential risk factors with your heart."
Morin has a pacemaker, but still tries to exercise. She's also eating right and learning to not overextend herself.
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