In this Imperfect Heart NewsPod, I reconnect with Kaylin Kellert—two years removed from her myocardial bridge unroofing surgery and now living a life she describes as “night and day” from before.
Kaylin shares an honest update on her recovery journey, including the ups and downs that came with it, and the sense of peace she’s found on the other side. But this conversation isn’t just about where she’s been—it’s about what she’s doing now.
After a chance moment at an American Heart Association Heart Walk in Austin, Kaylin was nominated as a Woman of Impact for the Go Red for Women campaign. What followed is a powerful example of turning personal experience into purpose.
We talk about:
- Why cardiovascular disease remains the #1 killer of women
- The long-standing misconceptions that heart disease primarily affects men
- How women’s symptoms are too often dismissed or misdiagnosed
- The role of advocacy, awareness, and funding in changing outcomes
- And how Kaylin is using her voice—and her story—to make a difference
This episode is both an update and an invitation: to listen, to learn, and to support a cause that impacts one in three women.
Why It Matters
Heart disease doesn’t always look the way we expect—and for women, that misunderstanding can be deadly.
Kaylin’s story reinforces a critical truth: awareness leads to advocacy, and advocacy leads to better outcomes. When survivors step forward, they don’t just tell their story—they help change the system.
This conversation highlights the importance of:
- Recognizing symptoms earlier
- Taking women’s health concerns seriously
- Funding research and education
- And building a community that supports one another through it all
For the myocardial bridge community and beyond, this is a reminder that your voice matters—and that sharing it can save lives.
Let’s help Kaylin help us help others! Here is the link to her “Go Red For Women” donation page Kaylin’s Go Red Link . Unfortunately, I can't show the QR code in this platform but the link works just the same.
Chapters
00:00 – Introduction to Kaylin & her journey
01:00 – Life two years after unroofing surgery
02:00 – The reality of recovery: ups, downs, and resilience
03:00 – A chance moment at the Heart Walk
04:00 – Becoming a Woman of Impact
05:00 – The truth about heart disease in women
06:00 – Misdiagnosis, dismissal, and systemic gaps
07:00 – Why awareness and advocacy matter
08:00 – How the Go Red for Women campaign works
09:00 – Supporting the mission and getting involved
10:00 – A message to the myocardial bridge community
11:00 – Closing thoughts and call to action
If you like what you heard, please give us a positive review on whichever app you're using, like and follow us so you never miss an episode. Also, please visit the website, MyImperfectHeart.com and sign up to our database as we work to build a more connected, informed and supportive network of the Imperfect Heart community. Thanks for listening and thank you for your support.
If you don't yet have your very own copy of the book: Imperfect Heart: Stories of Myocardial Bridges, you can find it anywhere in paperback, tablet or audiobook versions. And, yes, that's me doing the audiobook version as well. :) I hope you enjoy it.
