Since childhood, I admired my mom for her ability to handle situations effortlessly and attract people with her presence. She has always been my support, anticipating my needs even before I ask. My admiration grew when I realized how many others she impacts similarly. Her actions make her seem like a superhero, though she’s not invincible.

Last spring, before Mother’s Day, I invited my mom to a work event focusing on women’s heart health. What seemed a casual opportunity to show her my workplace turned into something much more significant. The event highlighted that women’s heart attack symptoms are subtle and unexpected. When my mom experienced pain in her mouth and extreme fatigue in December, she recalled this knowledge and visited the emergency room instead of going to work.

The emergency room doctors quickly identified her condition as a heart attack and performed immediate surgery. Thankfully, she survived. Her decision that morning was life-saving. Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women in the U.S. Despite this, many dismiss the symptoms as trivial issues. The American Heart Association warns that symptoms like jaw pain or what feels like a toothache can indicate a heart attack. In my mom’s case, it was mouth pain combined with fatigue that led her to seek help.

Reflecting on recent months, I understand the gravity of nearly losing my mom in December. Her survival was not by chance; it was due to her informed decisions about her heart health. She remains here for every phone call, every shared moment that seemed routine before I realized how close I came to losing her.

I know that not everyone experiences this outcome. Some lack additional moments or conversations. But by sharing our story, there is hope that others might seize their second chance. The American Heart Association reports that heart disease claims more women’s lives than all cancer forms combined, yet only 44% recognize it as the greatest health threat.

I always aspired to be like my mom. If anyone takes something from our story, let it be this: Educate yourself, recognize symptoms, understand your family history, and listen to your body, regardless of inconvenience or disruption. I commit to doing this for my family and for those seemingly insignificant moments that matter more than realized.

My mom’s heroism stems not from invincibility but from her humanity. Kayla Kauffman, a mother based in Minneapolis working for Medtronic, aims to elevate women’s awareness about heart health following her mother’s heart attack and recuperation. The author’s views expressed here are personal. Share your own story with Newsweek by reaching out to [email protected].