I had just started to take control of my life. Lost 80 pounds in about a year, working out with a trainer, eating right. From day one at the gym I started passing out. My trainer kept telling me that I needed to eat more before exercising and that my passing out was due to low blood sugar...I was too much in denial to question him, I know now that that decision almost cost me my life.  I woke up one night unable to breathe and struggled through the next day and didn't go to the doctor until two days later. I was sent to the ER from the clinic at my university and passed out four times in the waiting room...but I was there by myself and nobody noticed since I wasn't causing a commotion. I ended up getting sent home, with instructions to follow up with primary care in a week IF I was still feeling poorly, but what was put in my chart was to follow up with cardio and pulmonary. I went to the Dr the next week (totally out of character for me) and the Dr kept asking if I was sure that I had been released from the hospital, and telling me that in my current state, one week later, that she wanted to send me back to the hospital and would go with me to get me admited because I needed to be there. I ended up taking referrals for cardio and pulmonary, and called to set up the appointments (both at the same practice) and had a hard time convincing the secretary that I truely had a referral to see a cardiologist at my age. I got an appointment in about a month and was feeling OK when I went. The Dr. decided to run all the tests "even though we don't typically do these tests on young women" and gave me an appointment 4 weeks out to come in and discuss the results.  I did all the tests, they found no blockages, no artery hardening, no "plumbing" issues.  The day before my appointment I got an urgent call from another doctor at the practice demanding that I show up at 8 am the next morning to meet with him because of the results of my event monitor and holter monitor. Needless to say, I was scared. I went in and was scheduled for surgery 5 days later. Since then I have had 3 surgeries and have at least one more in my future. It's been quite a ride. I have SVT and VT and who knows what else, but it turned out that I passed out from the lack of oxygen that I experienced when my heart rate would take off during breaks in exercise, or whenever it felt like it. 

I don't know what made me follow through with going to the doctor, but it doesn't matter how young, or how female you are, if you have heart symptoms, you need to be evaluated for them.  Heart symptoms don't always look like they are heart related, my biggest issue was passing out and my second biggest issue was feeling like I didn't have enough oxygen. I may end up with a permanent ICD or pacemaker someday, but I'm not afraid of that anymore. Don't get me wrong, it is scary, but taking charge and taking care of your health is the only way to really live.