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SAVANNAH, Ga. () — Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death among women, and its symptoms can vary significantly from one person to another, according to healthcare experts.
At 43, Sonja Northcutt began experiencing persistent pain in her shoulder and chest, coupled with restless nights, foreshadowing a pivotal evening in September 2025.
While entering a nearby grocery store, Northcutt’s condition worsened. She managed to get inside, but soon felt an intense pressure on her chest and a sudden loss of hearing.
Despite her discomfort, Northcutt was able to return to her car and drove herself to the St. Joseph’s/Candler Urgent Care in Pooler.
“In that moment, all I could do was pray, ‘Lord, help me. Lord have mercy,'” Northcutt recalled. “The tightness was overwhelming, I felt uneasy, struggled to breathe, and couldn’t hear anything around me… this time felt different.”
After several EKG tests, Northcutt was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital. Dr. Abdul-Razaq Adeniyi, and interventional cardiologist, then discovered the blockage. This required a catheter procedure to place a stent in the artery to increase blood flow to Northcutt’s heart.
Dr. Adeniyi said the blockage significant, but the symptoms were subtle.
“I think it sort of highlights the importance of not ignoring symptoms, because not everyone has the really classic, horrible stuff, like sternal chest pain,” Adeniyi said. “Sometimes it’s a little bit more subtle. I think the teaching point is, if you have symptoms that are unusual, that are concerning, it’s always better to get checked out here on the side of caution and get evaluated.”
Now, Northcutt is able to carry on with her life, spending time with her friends and family and fulfilling her career in law enforcement. She’s also building a healthier version of herself through walking, biking and other exercises at the Candler Hospital Cardiac Rehab Center.
“I feel proud that I’m actually doing something that I know will help me not only now, but in the long run,” Northcutt said.
Dr. Adeniyi said a general rule of thumb for is for people to not forget cardiovascular health when thinking about your overall health profile. This is especially important for patients who are diabetic, have high blood pressure, have high cholesterol and have a family history of heart disease.
“Consider things that you can be doing even if you’re relatively healthy person to sort of improve your risk profile long term, even if it’s something as simple as watching your diet, exercising more, not being a sedentary,” Dr. Adeniyi said.
There are local efforts underway to fund research and support. The American Heart Association is hosting the Annual Southern Coast Heart Ball in Savannah on Friday, March 6. Tickets are on sale now.