Dina Pinelli lived a life that many might consider the very definition of health and wellness. As a dedicated yoga teacher, she cultivated a routine of daily meditation and frequent exercise, her family prioritizing mostly organic, unprocessed foods since her father’s significant heart attack years prior. At 45 years old, she truly believed herself to be, in her own words, “the epitome of health.” Yet, beneath this carefully constructed facade of well-being, a silent and perilous reality was unfolding, culminating in three heart attacks in less than a month during June 2020.
Pinelli’s startling experience serves as a profound narrative on the often-misleading nature of cardiac symptoms, particularly for women, and the critical importance of self-advocacy in navigating complex health challenges. Her story, now a central part of the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women “Real Women” campaign, aims to illuminate the subtle warning signs that she, like many others, initially dismissed or misattributed. It is a cautionary tale, urging a deeper understanding of one’s body and a proactive stance in seeking medical attention.
The initial signs of distress emerged subtly in April 2020. Pinelli recounted experiencing episodes of sweating and shortness of breath whenever she embarked on walks with her new puppy, Ananda. In a common misinterpretation, she attributed these symptoms to a combination of seasonal allergies and her history of anxiety, common ailments that can often mask more severe underlying conditions. This attribution, however, would prove to be a critical misstep in understanding her body’s urgent pleas for attention.
The situation escalated dramatically one night in June. Pinelli awoke to Ananda licking her hands, a simple act that immediately triggered an unsettling sensation that something was profoundly wrong within her. Describing the moment, she stated, “I sat up in the bed and I couldn’t move.”
The pain was not confined to her chest; her wrists and elbows ached on both sides, a peculiar discomfort she described as if she “had finally tried to hit her opponent back but forgot to wear gloves.” For a harrowing 45 minutes, she endured the sweating and pain, attempting to stretch through it before finally managing to get out of bed. In a testament to her initial misjudgment of the severity, she took an Aleve and returned to sleep, only to awaken the next day feeling utterly exhausted, foggy, and achy, as if she had “just run a marathon.”
Less than a week later, the undeniable truth began to manifest with terrifying clarity. Pinelli was on her treadmill, attempting to complete her daily 5k walk, when the familiar chest, wrist, and elbow pain returned with startling intensity. It was at this crucial juncture that she decided to contact her doctor, a decision that would ultimately prove life-saving despite her initial expectations.
Given her history of anxiety, Pinelli anticipated a telemedicine consultation would conclude with a prescription for Xanax, a common response to stress-related symptoms. However, fortune intervened; her doctor opted for an in-person examination, including an electrocardiogram (EKG) to assess her heart. This immediate, thorough investigation proved pivotal, revealing the true gravity of her condition.
Despite being a healthy 45-year-old yoga teacher, a demographic often perceived as being at low risk for serious cardiac events, the EKG uncovered a “100% blockage.” The medical team, perhaps influenced by her outwardly healthy appearance, had initially reassured her, telling her, “You’re 45 and you’re healthy and you’re a yoga teacher, you’re going to be fine.” The stark reality was that she was not fine; she needed immediate intervention, and a stent was implanted to clear the obstruction.
According to the American Heart Association, a stent is a vital tube employed to prop open an artery that has become blocked or narrowed during a cardiac crisis. Its placement can significantly diminish the likelihood of subsequent heart attacks, though some individuals may necessitate multiple procedures to ensure their arteries remain open. For Pinelli, this initial procedure was a critical step, but not the final one in her journey.
Approximately a week after receiving her first stent, the persistent pain resurfaced while she was walking her dog with her father. Even after experiencing two previous cardiac events, Pinelli confessed to a moment of hesitation before contacting her doctor again. She articulated a common apprehension, stating, “I didn’t want to be that hypochondriac person — the girl that cried wolf, so to speak.”
However, a deeper wisdom prevailed. Pinelli chose to listen to her body’s insistent warnings, returning to the doctor for further evaluation. Subsequent tests, including an EKG and troponin levels—both crucial indicators of heart function—yielded abnormal results. This vigilance proved crucial; her third heart attack occurred within the hospital, leading to the necessity of another stent and the prescription of beta-blockers to regulate her blood pressure.
Pinelli’s recovery was, by her account, slower than she desired. A significant turning point in her healing process came when she transitioned from a male doctor to a female cardiologist, an experience she described as making “a world of difference.” Her new physician meticulously adjusted her medication regimen and guided her through a carefully managed, gradual return to exercise, an activity that had become understandably terrifying in the wake of her heart attacks.
Today, Pinelli possesses a profound understanding of her unique heart attack warning sign—the distinctive wrist and elbow pain. She has not experienced another heart attack since and has successfully regained the ability to maintain a running pace without the debilitating fear that her physical activity might prove fatal. Her journey stands as a powerful testament to the transformative potential of advocating for one’s own health, a message she now passionately shares with others through her volunteer work.
Pinelli’s narrative, while deeply personal, resonates with broader societal challenges, particularly the often-underestimated role of anxiety in health and wellness. Anxiety, a condition many grapple with daily yet hesitate to openly discuss, can be an isolating experience. Sharing these struggles, as many find, offers solace and practical coping strategies, fostering a sense of community and reducing feelings of isolation.
In the realm of social media, brave individuals often step forward to share their vulnerabilities, inspiring countless others. Jessica Olie, another yoga teacher, recently garnered significant attention for her remarkably candid disclosure of her own struggles with anxiety on Instagram. Her story, characterized by raw honesty, became an inspiration for many navigating similar internal battles.
Olie’s posts, in her own admission, had been “quite heavy and emotional” in the months leading up to her revelation. She articulated a profound truth about authenticity, stating, “I cannot pretend to be ok or feel inspired because that’s not how I feel.” This transparent approach, she hoped, would resonate with others, reassuring them that they are not alone in their struggles.
Detailing a particularly difficult day, Olie recounted not leaving her bed until 5 p.m., foregoing basic routines like opening curtains or checking emails. Her day was consumed by the arduous task of “trying to breathe through anxiety attacks and quiet my mind that had found itself in a dark place.” This period of intense anxiety, she explained, had been heavily influenced by her father’s recent diagnosis, highlighting how external stressors can profoundly impact mental well-being.
She openly acknowledged, “This is not me but it’s a part of me, a side of me that I’ve had to confront a lot over the last few months since my dad got diagnosed and every day, every hour, every minute is so different.” Yet, even in the depths of despair, Olie demonstrated remarkable resilience. The very next morning, she consciously chose to set her alarm for 5 a.m., compelling herself to engage in her usual practices.
Taking her mat, she flowed through her yoga practice, finding a release as she “cried as I watched the sunrise over the city, with the sound of the waves right next to me.” This intentional act of self-care, she believed, was precisely what her “mind and my body needed,” underscoring a vital lesson in self-awareness: recognizing when to yield to moments of rest and when to exert the necessary effort to re-engage with life.
Jessica Olie’s openness not only fosters a sense of shared experience but also provides tangible strategies for coping. She understands that while sometimes a break is essential for emotional rejuvenation, at other times, a gentle push is required to initiate one’s day. Her Instagram videos, showcasing specific yoga poses and techniques, visually demonstrate how these practices can effectively combat anxiety and its myriad side effects, proving yoga’s efficacy as a potent tool for mental and emotional relief.
The profound connection between mind, body, and heart health is further illuminated by the journey of filmmaker Anurag Kashyap. A heart attack forced Kashyap to reassess his entire lifestyle, transforming health into his paramount priority. Prior to the incident, his body had been sending clear warning signals: frequent asthma attacks, unexpected weight gain, premature greying of hair, and reliance on steroids, all while his consistent workouts seemed to yield diminishing returns.
Kashyap described the heart scare as the “final wake-up call,” compelling him to decelerate his demanding pace and implement enduring, meaningful changes in his life. His recovery began with an intensive 11-day liquid diet, a strict regimen that not only facilitated rapid weight loss but also served to reset his physiological system. Yet, he emphasized that the true cornerstone of his transformation lay elsewhere.
He embraced the ancient practices of yoga and pranayama, a decision that proved to be profoundly impactful. The rhythmic breathing techniques inherent in pranayama, he explained, were instrumental in calming his “restless mind” and significantly reducing his stress levels, which he had come to believe were insidious, silent triggers for many of his health issues. This holistic approach recognized the intricate interplay between mental state and physical well-being.
Complementing these practices, Kashyap meticulously cultivated better sleep habits, embraced mindful eating, and instilled a newfound discipline into his daily routines. The results of this comprehensive overhaul were remarkable: he shed a staggering 27 kilograms and achieved a profound sense of mastery over both his body and his mind, illustrating the powerful cumulative effect of small, consistent choices.
