A young mother from Bristol has revealed her terrifying brush with death after NHS doctors dismissed her heart attack symptoms as mere indigestion, sending her home just hours before she collapsed.
Kira Cousins, 29, had recently celebrated the birth of her daughter when she began experiencing what should have been recognised as classic cardiac warning signs. Instead, medical professionals at the hospital attributed her severe chest and arm pain to digestive issues.
A Mother's Intuition
"I knew something was seriously wrong," Kira recalls, her voice still filled with the trauma of that night. "The pain was unlike anything I'd ever experienced - it felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest. But they told me it was probably just indigestion from breastfeeding."
Despite her protests and clear symptoms, Kira was discharged with antacid medication. The devastating reality would reveal itself mere hours later when she suffered a massive heart attack at home.
The Terrifying Reality
Kira's story highlights a dangerous gap in postpartum healthcare, where women's serious health concerns are sometimes dismissed as routine pregnancy or breastfeeding-related issues.
Her husband, Mike, described the horror of finding his wife collapsed: "I thought I was going to lose her. One minute she was feeding our newborn, the next she was fighting for her life."
Recovery and Raising Awareness
Now recovering after emergency treatment, Kira is determined to use her experience to help other new mothers recognise the warning signs that medical professionals might miss.
- Chest pain or discomfort that spreads to arms, neck or back
- Shortness of breath even when resting
- Nausea, dizziness or cold sweats
- Overwhelming fatigue that feels abnormal
"Don't be fobbed off if you know something isn't right," Kira urges other women. "You know your own body better than anyone. Keep pushing until someone listens."
