For Patty McNelley, her 2013 cardiac event was a wake-up call.
That July, the Jefferson City woman had three stents placed in her heart.
"It's not an uncommon procedure, but it is for a person in her 50s; and we are working to make women more aware of heart problems," she said. "Most women, like I did, ignore things like chest pains. I ignored it for several days before I did get it checked out."
The 24th annual Mid-Missouri Heart Ball takes place Saturday evening at Capitol Plaza Hotel, and the American Heart Association named NcNelley this year's "Heart Star" for the event, which is sold out.
Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death for women.
"I had heart disease in my family, but they were older and it was expected for their age," McNelley said. "I was 50 and kept on doing my normal routine when I had my first chest pains. It was my husband who said I need to get checked out and I took a stress test and failed so I knew something was wrong. Now I'm doing fine."
This year's Heart Child is the second honoree from the same family.
Tessa Markway, 8, Frankenstein, joins her older sister, Emma, in being named for the honor.
"Emma was the Heart Child nine years ago," said her mother, Janice. "We wanted to give back because they helped to save her life."
Emma suffered with an underdeveloped valve in her heart and had to have two surgeries that led to her getting an artificial valve.
Tessa was diagnosed prenatally with a three-chamber heart, and Janice said they were told she would have to go through a series of surgeries to help her heart function normally.
"She had her first surgery when she was six weeks old," Janice said. "Her second surgery was at seven months and we came close to losing her in that procedure. Then, the only option was a heart transplant, and at eight months she got a new heart.
Emma, who is in the second grade, dances and plays ball and is very active.
"She's never had any problem after getting her heart," Janice said. "She's a happy-go-lucky little girl."
All the funds raised at the ball go to help the heart association.
"They've not only been there for support, but they've become our friends," Janice said. "We can never help and thank them enough for all they've done for us."