July 18, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Heart & Stroke Walk To Take Place Saturday In Santa Monica:

Heart disease survivor Amanda Daniels has defied the odds by not just giving birth once, but twice, years after doctors told her childbirth was next to impossible.

While hooked to a cardiac monitor during a wisdom teeth removal procedure when she was 18, doctors noticed an irregular heartbeat and sent her immediately to a cardiologist. She was diagnosed with arrhythmia, a generally benign condition in which the heart beats at an irregular or abnormal function.

After being diagnosed, Daniels visited the cardiologist regularly yet was still able to lead the active lifestyle she had come to love and enjoy, even working as a spin instructor.

She will be one of hundreds of people walking in the American Heart Association 5K Walk this Saturday starting at the Santa Monica Pier.

The Heart & Stroke Walk is a family event featuring a non-competitive 5-kilometer walk/run and one-mile Survivor Path. Other highlights include a Health and Wellness Expo, Survivor Lounge, Kids Zone featuring games and educational information promoting heart health, VIP Tent for sponsors and top fundraisers and live entertainment.

Most people find out they suffer from idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy after cardiac arrest, luckily Daniels found out about her second diagnosis during a regular visit to her cardiologist.

“I was dating, having fun, teaching spinning and my whole life changed,” Daniels said.

According to the American Heart Association, idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy is a condition in which the heart becomes weakened and enlarged and the pumping chambers contract poorly; it occurs more frequently in men than in women, and most common between the ages of 20 and 60. Doctors instructed Daniels to stop teaching, warning her against letting her heart rate go over 120.

“I have always been an athlete,” Daniels said. “I played high school volleyball and for me to get diagnosed and not be able to workout, because that was such a part of who I am it took a lot of soul searching to reconnect and learn who I was and how to deal with my condition and to understand what that meant.”

Surrogacy is a popular option for women living with high-risk heart disease.

Yet, Daniels had always dreamt of giving birth.

Eventually, however, Daniels’ doctor gave her the green light. After consulting with her husband about their options, they took their first leap of faith in 2007 and their second in 2010.

“Through the American Heart Association, I learned everything I needed to know about my condition,” Daniels said. “I am very grateful.”

During doctor visits she noticed those sitting in the waiting rooms with her looked nothing like her: older men and women in their 60s and 70s. As a 25-year-old, Daniels was hopeful her peers were out there also seeking familiar faces.

With her friend Alisa Becket, she found Women Heart West Los Angeles, a support group for women that meets monthly at UCLA. The group is made up of women ages 30s to 80s.

“As a heart coach, my goal is to inspire people to listen to their body, become their own advocate. As women we give everything of ourselves to someone else,” Daniels said. “We are caregivers – we rarely take care of our selves. Whether you’re in high school or a mother of young children, a grandmother, or great grandmother, we are all empowered when we take care of our heart health.”

For the first time in over 10 years, the former spin instructor mounted a spin bike early last week for a class.

“It was a profound experience,” she said. “It was this moment of happy tears. I am still on medication, and my doctor has given me the green light to work out. There was a point in time when I did not know if I could have children, did not know where my life was going to take me. I am humbled.”

Daniels also has blog called “Voices To Share… Healing Hearts One Voice at a Time,” which she said was inspired and created through her own story of survival and healing (voicestoshare.com).

This Saturday is the first time in many years that the AHA fundraiser is taking place in Santa Monica. The community is invited to join the fight against heart disease and stroke by forming a team with family, friends or coworkers and signing up on www.GLACountyHeartWalk.org.

There is no fee to participate in the event. Individuals who raise $100 or more will receive an official Heart & Stroke Walk t-shirt.

Santa Monica is one of seven locations in Los Angeles County that will host the Greater Los Angeles Heart & Stroke Walk. Walks will also take place in Antelope Valley, Pomona, Pasadena, Downtown LA, Santa Clarita and Long Beach. The goal is to raise a combined $1.75 million.

in News
<>Related Posts

Man Arrested in Brentwood for Impersonating Firefighter During Palisades Fire

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The suspect faces at least 28 criminal counts—including 23 felonies—spanning incidents from 2023 to May 2025 Federal and local law...

West Coast Premiere of ‘The Opposite of Love’ Opens at Hudson Backstage Theatre

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Produced by Neil Gooding Productions, behind shows like Back to the Future: The Musical, the play runs Thursdays through Saturdays at...

Study Highlights Economic Impact of Cap-and-Trade Extension in Los Angeles

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are pushing to reauthorize the program this year, citing its role in generating 287,000...

Film Review: Superman

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

“This movie is packed with storyline, Superman lore, meaningful objects, and action.” writes Kathryn Whitney Boole Rated PG-13129 MinutesReleased July...

Multiple Drug Arrests Reported in Palisades Park in Recent Weeks

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

SMPD Reported Several of the Arrests Between June 29 and July 5 The Santa Monica Police Department reported several drug-related...

(Video) Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The outpost is a first for the popular influencer Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?...

Mayor Bass Hails National Guard Withdrawal as Victory for Unity

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The Pentagon’s decision to reduce the troop presence follows weeks of legal challenges and public demonstrations Mayor Karen Bass celebrated...

DUI Checkpoints to be Conducted Across LA This Weekend

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The LAPD selects checkpoint sites based on data indicating high incidents of impaired driving-related crashes and arrests The Los Angeles...

SMPD to Conduct Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Operation on Friday

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The focus will be on speeding, illegal turns, failing to yield or provide right of way to cyclists or walkers,...

Dodgers to Host Back to School Bash for Fire-Affected Families

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The free event will offer free groceries, school supplies, outfits, haircuts, medical screenings, and carnival rides The Los Angeles Dodgers...

LA Sees Second Straight Year of Homelessness Decline, Leaders Celebrate Progress

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The survey, designed by the University of Southern California, reported a 17.5% drop—the largest two-year decrease on record The Los...

LAPD Seeks Missing 63-Year-Old Man Known to Frequent Playa Vista

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

His family last heard from him via a group text on June 22 The Los Angeles Police Department’s Missing Persons...

Santa Monica Offers City-Owned Properties for Affordable Housing Development

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The move aims to address the city’s Regional Housing Need Assessment of 8,895 units, with a goal of producing at...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...

Venice Beach to Host First Medal at 2028 Olympics

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Venice Beach, known for its vibrant boardwalk, will kick off the 844 ticketed events, hosting the triathlon along its coastline...