Student needing a heart transplant was told by doctors that her symptoms were 'exam stress'

Charlotte Carney, 22, kept seeing GPs over five years while becoming increasingly tired and sleeping up to 20 hours a day.

Tests revealed restrictive cardiomyopathy, and she had her life-saving op in March.

Now in her final year studying forensic psychology, Charlotte, of Northwich, Cheshire, said: “I was dismissed by doctors due to my age and I was told my symptoms were due to exam stress.

“But as the years passed my health continued to decline. I struggled to stay awake for longer than a few hours. I thought I was just really lazy and loved sleep but after tests on my heart I was finally diagnosed.”

She added: “It was after these tests that I was told I had Restrictive Cardiomyopathy which meant my heart did not fill of blood properly. No one had any idea that I had a heart condition but we knew it was serious as I was getting worse.

“It was this test that saved my life and led to doctors taking my symptoms seriously. Medication didn’t help and just three months after my diagnosis I was placed on the waiting list for a new heart.

“I knew my time was running out and if I didn’t have a new organ quickly I was risking being too unwell for the transplant.

“I couldn’t believe it when three weeks later I got the call. I knew I had no other choice if I wanted to survive – I was so thankful.”

• GOT a story? Ring The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or email [email protected].

Source: Read Full Article