When 28-year-old Megan Soutar began experiencing terrifying dizzy spells and sudden blackouts, she never imagined she was harbouring a life-threatening condition that doctors would initially mistake for Long COVID.
The Warning Signs Everyone Should Recognise
Megan's ordeal began with alarming symptoms that many might dismiss as temporary fatigue or post-viral effects. "I started getting really dizzy spells out of nowhere," she recalls. "Then I began blacking out completely. It was absolutely terrifying."
Like thousands of Britons, Megan had contracted COVID-19 months earlier. When her symptoms persisted, healthcare professionals initially attributed them to Long COVID, leaving the young woman to struggle with increasingly debilitating episodes.
The Shocking Diagnosis That Changed Everything
After months of uncertainty and deteriorating health, a routine scan revealed something no one expected: a rare cardiac tumour growing inside her heart. The diagnosis was a cardiac myxoma - a benign but potentially deadly growth that could have caused sudden cardiac death at any moment.
"I was completely shocked," Megan admits. "To go from thinking you have Long COVID to being told there's a tumour in your heart that could kill you - it was overwhelming."
Symptoms That Demand Medical Attention
- Unexplained dizziness or vertigo
- Sudden fainting or blackouts
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain or palpitations
- Flu-like symptoms that persist
Emergency Surgery and Recovery
Megan underwent urgent open-heart surgery at the Golden Jubilee National Hospital in Clydebank, where surgeons successfully removed the golf ball-sized tumour. The complex procedure required stopping her heart and using a bypass machine while specialists carefully excised the growth.
"The surgeons told me the tumour was attached by a stalk and was flopping around, blocking blood flow," she explains. "It's miraculous I didn't suffer a stroke or sudden cardiac arrest."
A Vital Message About Trusting Your Instincts
Now recovering and sharing her story, Megan has an important message for others experiencing unusual symptoms: "Don't be fobbed off. Keep pushing for answers. If I hadn't persisted, I might not be here today."
Her experience highlights the importance of thorough investigation when symptoms persist, even when initial explanations seem straightforward. Cardiac tumours, while rare, can mimic many common conditions, making awareness crucial for early detection.
Medical experts emphasise that while most dizziness isn't caused by heart tumours, persistent or severe symptoms combined with fainting episodes always warrant comprehensive cardiac assessment.
