WALKERTON — An increasing number of adults deal with a common birth defect called congenital heart defect, and a woman in our area is a congenital heart defect survivor who wants to share her story to hopefully help someone else be more aware of their heart health.

She’s an EMT in Walkerton. And even though she has this heart defect, there is nothing holding her back from living a normal life as an EMT.

Ashleigh Mccleave helps save lives every day as an EMT firefighter with the Walkerton Fire Department.

But during the early years of her life, Mccleave was the one who needed the saving. She was born with congenital heart defect – when the heart or blood vessels near the heart don’t develop normally before birth.

“I was 2 weeks old when my parents took me to a pediatrician and she heard a murmur, and she told them I needed to see a cardiologist.”

By 18 months she had a shunt put in on the left side of the heart.

Mccleave had open heart surgery when she was 4.

Every year Mccleave goes to get EKGS and MRIS done by a cardiologist.

“I’ve had a few bouts of chest pain lately and we’ve been looking because I need to have my valve replaced,” she said.

But these heart problems do not stop Mccleave from doing her job as an EMT.

“I have no stipulations at all.”

She can do everything normal EMTs do, like responding to house fires and car accidents.

Mccleave says it’s easier to deal with patients who have heart conditions as well while on the job.

“I know the symptoms that you’re having. Just try and be calm. I just calm them down. I know what they’re going through. I’ve been taken by ambulance to a hospital for chest pain.”

“Doctors say there is a shorter life expectancy with congenital heart defects, but there is one thing that will help their health down the line.

“It is extremely important for everyone, whether you have congenital heart disease or you don’t, that you should follow a healthy lifestyle, because common adult problems can complicate problems further.”

Mccleave still needs that valve replacement. But beyond that she has not had any other heart problems over the years. There are no limitations to what she can do in life.

Source: WSBT