This video will teach you how to make your very own heart healthy snacks!

Meet Hailey:

Hailey is a twin and was born with a congenital heart defect. She has had two heart surgeries since then and is doing very well. Below she answers some questions about those heart surgeries.

How old are you?

I am 10 years old.

What grade are you in?

5th Grade

What is your favorite hobby?

Sports

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Cardiac doctor

Now, tell us a little about your heart:

What surgery did you have when you were little?

I had a surgery to try and make the blood flow better through my heart but it didn’t work. They told us it might get better with time.

How old were you when you had your first surgery?

6 months old

Have you had any other heart surgeries since you were little?

Yes, I had open heart surgery when I was 8.

What was the purpose of that surgery?

At a check-up they found a hole in my heart that they didn’t see before (it was in the back).

Does it hurt when you have to have surgery?

The first few days were hard and then I was hurting for the next few weeks, I had to miss six weeks of school. I also had to take potassium which tastes terrible!

Will you have to have more surgeries?

Maybe, but I am pretty healthy.

Are there things you aren’t allowed to do because of your heart?

Not really.

Have you had any problems because of your heart?

Not really, I am smaller than almost everyone in my grade and slower but I can still do things. Sometimes I get picked on but my friends are really nice about it.

Why do you think it is important to take care of your heart?

Your heart is the center of your whole body, it helps give us energy to do everything we want to.

If you met a kid who was about to have surgery what words of advice would you give them?

Don’t be scared. Your doctor is really smart and your family will take good care of you!