One was of her right coronary artery, 100% blocked. Blood wasn’t flowing.

The other was after they placed a stent. Blood was flowing.

Valentine knew there were heart problems on her father’s side of the family but hadn’t been concerned.

“When you’re younger, you don’t think it will happen to you,” she said.

McCormack stayed with Valentine the first night at the hospital. Her husband arrived the next day. When they flew home together, she kept her eyes closed and her head on his shoulder.

Valentine was determined to lose weight and exercise. Although she couldn’t alter her genetics, she knew that becoming healthier would decrease her risk of heart disease.

But once she was home, she sh0cked.

“I felt like I was a ticking time bomb,” Valentine said.

“Anytime I was trying to plan groceries, I’d just begin crying. I didn’t even know what I could eat.”

She restricted her sodium and saturated fat intake. She changed her bread and flour from white to whole wheat. She cut out most processed foods. She also started walking daily.

In the years since the heart attack, which occured in 2018, Valentine has lost 92 pounds. She now weighs 137. Last summer she stopped taking anxiety medication.

Valentine, now 40, frequently shares about her challenges and achievements on her TikTok page, where she has more than 19,000 followers.

“It’s been a great way to reach out and help other people,” she said.

“I was a horrible eater, eating for convenience instead of for my body,” said McCormack.

“She still has her moments here and there, but she’s doing so much better,” McCormack said.

“Mostly I feel fortunate to still have her here with me.”