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Young Mother Survives Major Heart Disease Scare

MANHASSET, N.Y. (CBSNewYork)-- Three months after her baby girl was born, 37-year-old Christine Giles thought she had the flu.

"I said, 'Oh it's nothing. it's just hot. I have a fever, give me some antibiotics, I'll be fine,'" Giles told CBS2's Jennifer McLogan.

The doctors told her something much different: she was dying.

Doctors put Giles into a ten pound external life vest defibrillator 24 hours a day for six months. The young mother's family became worried as her condition was not improving.

Giles shared the journey of her heart at Northwell Health in Manhasset as part of National Wear Red Day. Heart disease is the number one killer of American women. Warning signs can be unique.

"My first sign was swollen ankles, the furthest point from your heart," Giles said.

Heart attack symptoms can present themselves differently in women, which is why there is so often misdiagnosis and treatment delays.

Doctors at Northwell soon implanted Giles with a high-tech internal defibrillator known as SUBQ.

"If the heart ever goes into dangerous heart rhythm, the device will shock the heart back into a normal rhythm," Dr. Apoor Patel told CBS2.

Giles will need the device for life, yet calls herself blessed.

"I am always celebrating every singe day, because every day is a gift!" she said.

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