KBKaren BreitkreuzOff-the-route trips to South Africa, Belize and Europe

Looking Fit But My Heart Is Fighting A Battle! #shorts

16 Aug 2026 · 1 min

Watch on YouTube

1:00

In this personal YouTube short, the speaker shares a deeply personal account of living with invisible cardiac conditions such as arrhythmias, POTS, mitral valve prolapse, and cardiomyopathy. While appearing physically fit and capable of walking quickly or carrying bags, the speaker experiences racing or irregular heartbeats, fatigue after short walks, and the need to pause for breath. The monologue also highlights that certain heart medications can dramatically reduce energy, turning a casual stroll into a strenuous workout. The speaker urges listeners to understand that needing to sit down or take breaks is not laziness but a necessary management of a serious medical condition, and calls for patience and empathy toward those dealing with hidden heart issues.

Chapters

This one is deeply personal for me. I can look like I'm in great shape. I can walk fast. I can carry my bags most of the time. I can look like I'm ready for a marathon. Well, maybe not anymore. But inside, my heart might be racing, skipping beats, or struggling to keep up. Cardiac conditions like arrhythmias, POTS, mitral valve prolapse, or cardiomyopathy don't show up on the outside. You can't see an irregular heartbeat. You can't see a heart that's working too hard just to get across a terminal. So when I stop to catch my breath after a short walk, when I ask just for a minute to sit down, that's not me being lazy. That's me managing a medical condition that could put me in the hospital if I push too hard. And here's something a lot of people don't know: some heart medications wipe out your energy reserves. What used to be a casual stroll is now a workout, so it's really important to be patient with us.