A family has issued an urgent warning after a mother-of-three passed away with an undetected heart condition just five weeks after giving birth.
Cathy MacGuinness, 40, was rushed to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney on Easter Sunday following a cardiac arrest at her home. The mother spent nearly three weeks in an induced coma before she tragically died on Saturday evening.
Ms MacGuinness is survived by her partner, Sebastian, and their three children - seven-year-old Zoe, three-year-old Rosie and newborn Goldie. Her heartbreaking death has prompted her loved ones to urge everybody, particularly busy mothers, to remain vigilant about their health and ensure no minor symptoms are overlooked.
Unbeknownst to her, Ms MacGuinness had dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition which causes the heart to enlarge and struggle to pump blood effectively. Had she been diagnosed and placed on medication, her family believe she would still be alive today.
Family’s Plea for Awareness
“What’s so tragic is that Cathy’s death could have been avoided,” sister-in-law Gillian Binchy-MacGuinness told the Daily Mail. “As a mum myself, we often put our families ahead of ourselves and our health by not listening to our bodies. Our hope is that Cathy’s story has a silver lining and saves lives.”
Symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy include fatigue, shortness of breath during activity or while lying flat, and swelling in the legs, ankles or abdomen, as well as palpitations, dizziness, chest pain and reduced exercise capacity.
“Cathy put her symptoms down to being a busy mum who was always on her feet,” Ms Binchy-MacGuinness said. “Our message to everyone, especially women, is to not dismiss symptoms and look after yourself.”
A Life Remembered
The mother was described as “magic in human form”, bringing joy and light to every room she walked into. She drew her final breaths in a tenderly decorated hospital room, adorned from floor to ceiling with artwork, photographs, heartfelt messages and origami from all those who cherished her.
Close friend Joanna Allen wrote on GoFundMe: “She had this rare and extraordinary ability to really see you - to look at you and make you feel truly known, exactly as you are. She accomplished everything she sets her mind to, looked incredible doing it and still made everyone else feel a million bucks at the end.”
“Seb and her girls were her entire world, her greatest love, her proudest achievement, her reason for everything,” her friend added. “And beyond that, her love stretched wide and deep - to her mum and dad, her brothers and sister and all of their families. She didn’t just love them, she cherished every single moment with them. She felt like the luckiest woman alive to call them hers.”
The fundraising page set up by Joanna has accumulated over $150,000 (nearly £80,000), as the couple had no life insurance in place.
