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EXCLUSIVE Cruel reason I'll never be able to get my dream boob job after near-death experience
A 24-year-old woman who suffered a heart attack has revealed how the near-death experience changed her life forever - but not in a way she ever suspected.
Raquel Hutt, a New York-based influencer, developed severe shooting pain in her left arm in August 2024.
As she screamed in the 'worst pain of my life', Hutt's mother called an ambulance and emergency responders - who initially believed she was suffering from a panic attack.
Hutt's symptoms were repeatedly dismissed by healthcare workers until test results showed she had elevated troponin levels - a protein found in cells in the heart muscle that is released when those cells are damaged.
Doctors found she had excessive troponin in her heart at the time - indicating the organ had suffered damage.
Eventually, doctors revealed Hutt had suffered from a massive heart attack despite being healthy and regularly working out.
Now, nearly a year later, doctors have cleared her to 'start living my life in a more regular way,' but said there are still things that would be forever changed about her body.
Shocked at learning what she could no longer do, Hutt revealed experts have advised her to avoid performing strenuous activities such as giving birth vaginally and lifting heavy weights, and told her she can no longer get breast implants.
The American Heart Association reports about 48 percent of Americans are living with some type of cardiovascular disease and CVD is the number one killer in the US - accounting for about one in five deaths.
While heart attacks in young people are still relatively rare, experts say that now one in five heart attack patients are younger than 40 years of age.
They also note heart attacks have increased by about 66 percent among people aged 18 to 44 since 2019.
In a TikTok video, Hutt said: 'The first thing 100 percent I cannot do is get a boob job.
'I've always wanted one but I can't have anything in my chest. I can't have any type of surgery.'
Doctors advise those with a history of heart attacks to abstain from unnecessary surgery as they may have a higher risk of complications during and after the procedure, such as blood clots, infections or those related to anesthesia.
Breast implants can also obstruct the view of the heart during an echocardiography - a test that uses high-frequency sound waves to create pictures of the heart - making it difficult to assess heart function.
The Sadeghi Center for Plastic Surgery in Los Angeles explained: 'Any surgical procedure can put additional stress on the heart and those with heart conditions may be at a higher risk of complications during and after surgery.'
Experts also say patients with a history of heart attacks may also experience increased blood loss during procedures and require more postoperative care and monitoring.
Hutt went on to say she has to refrain from giving birth vaginally and will need to undergo a C-section or use a surrogate if she plans to have children.
She said: 'This is a pretty big one. I can't do a valsalva, which is like when you bear down and really got to push.
'Like when you're in the bathroom or in a plank and squeezing your whole body. I can't do that. You also do it during childbirth.'
The Valsalva maneuver is a technique involving forceful exhalation against a closed airway, such as by closing the mouth and pinching the nose.
The technique is meant to help equalize pressure in the ears, alleviate hiccups and in some cases, help return a heart rhythm back to normal.
However, during childbirth, women are asked to take a deep breath and hold it while bearing down with all their strength during contractions.
This allows the baby to be pushed through the birth canal with more ease.
But the technique can also lead to changes in blood pressure and other physiological responses, which can put women with a history of heart attacks at high risk of suffering another one.
Lastly, Hutt told viewers she cannot lift any weights or objects heavier than 10lbs.
In day-to-day life, a large bag of sugar, rice or flour, a sack of potatoes, a medium-sized bowling ball or even a large watermelon can weigh 10lbs.
But lifting heavy objects, especially with a sudden and forceful movement, can cause a rapid rise in blood pressure and heart rate.
This is because the body is working harder to supply oxygen to the muscles, which can stress the heart and lead to another attack.
Heavy lifting often also involves isometric exercise, where muscles contract.
This type of exercise can lead to even greater blood pressure spikes and increased heart strain.
The Heart Foundation advises: 'Lifting weights and resistance training improves your muscle mass and strength.
'Always speak to your doctor, nurse, health worker or cardiac rehabilitation team before starting any muscle strengthening exercises. They will give you advice about what weight is suitable and safe for you to lift.
'You can improve your strength at home by lifting light weights, such as cans of tinned food or bags of rice. You can also lift your body weight by doing exercises such as lunges, squats or push-ups. As with any activity, start slowly and build up gradually.'
