Cathy MacGuinness, 40, suffered a cardiac arrest and died five weeks after giving birth with an undiagnosed heart condition
A devastated family has issued a heartfelt warning after a mother-of-three lost her life to an undiagnosed heart condition just five weeks after welcoming her baby.
Cathy MacGuinness, 40, was rushed to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney on Easter Sunday following a cardiac arrest at her home. The young mum spent almost three weeks in an induced coma before tragically passing away on Saturday evening.
Ms MacGuinness leaves behind her partner, Sebastian, and their three children – seven-year-old Zoe, three-year-old Rosie and newborn Goldie.
Her heartbreaking death has led her loved ones to urge everyone, particularly busy mothers, to remain vigilant about their wellbeing and never dismiss seemingly minor symptoms, reports the Mirror.
Ms MacGuinness had unknowingly been living with dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition which causes the heart to enlarge and struggle to pump blood efficiently. Her family firmly believe that had she received a diagnosis and appropriate medication, she would still be alive today.
“What’s so tragic is that Cathy’s death could have been avoided,” sister-in-law Gillian Binchy-MacGuinness told Daily Mail.
“As a mum myself, we often put our families ahead of ourselves and our health by not listening to our bodies. Our hope is that Cathy’s story has a silver living and saves lives.”
Symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy include fatigue, shortness of breath during activity or while lying flat, and swelling in the legs, ankles or abdomen, alongside palpitations, dizziness, chest pain and reduced exercise capacity.
Ms Binchy-MacGuinness said: “Cathy put her symptoms down to being a busy mum who was always on her feet Our message to everyone, especially women, is to not dismiss symptoms and look after yourself.”
The auntie revealed her brother-in-law has shown remarkable strength for his young daughters. The mum was described as “magic in human form”, brightening every room she walked into. Her final moments unfolded in a beautifully adorned hospital room, filled from top to bottom with artwork, photographs, messages and origami from all those who cared for her.
Close pal Joanna Allen wrote on GoFundMe: “She had this rare and extraordinary ability to really see you – to look at you and make you feel truly known, exactly as you are. She accomplished everything she sets her mind to, looked incredible doing it and still made everyone else feel a million bucks at the end.
“Seb and her girls were her entire world, her greatest love, her proudest achievement, her reason for everything,” her friend added.
“And beyond that, her love stretched wide and deep – to her mum and dad, her brothers and sister and all of their families. She didn’t just love them, she cherished every single moment with them. She felt like the luckiest woman alive to call them hers.”
The fundraising page established by Joanna has brought in over $150,000 (nearly £80,000) as the couple didn’t have life insurance. You can make a donation by clicking here.
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