Heart condition leads to career in cardiac nursing

Sadia Safari, a Licensed Practical Nurse working with cardiac patients at the Peter Lougheed Centre, has a unique ability to empathize with the individuals she cares for. 

That’s because Safari also suffers from a congenital heart defect, coarctation of the aorta, meaning a section of her aorta is narrower than normal, hindering blood flow. 

Safari was unaware of her condition until she was 18 when, during workout sessions she began having strange symptoms. 

“After high school graduation I started doing heavier sets and noticed I was short of breath and my face would get really red,” says Safari. “After working out, I had fluttering sensations in my heart, and it felt like I was putting my heart into a different rhythm.”

The symptoms prompted Safari to go for a physical, during which the doctor detected a heart murmur. After several tests, Safari was diagnosed with and subsequently had stent surgery to correct her aorta.  

It was life-changing experience that piqued Safari’s interest in nursing.

“I did a lot of my own research because I wanted to know about what was going on,” says Safari. “I read lots of scholarly articles and became very interested in the heart and cardiac conditions.”

Safari began her nursing studies a year after her surgery. She started her nursing career in 2019 working in cardiology. Over the next few years, she moved around, spending time in the flu clinic, and in acute care helping critically ill patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Safari is once again caring for cardiac patients full time, while also completing her nursing degree. She’s busy, but she says she taps into her own experiences while caring for others. 

“I have more of a patient perspective, so I understand the fear that people feel when something goes wrong with their heart or they get information that they need a procedure or surgery,” she says. “I can relate to that and to the feelings of overwhelm and anxiety that many patients have.” 

Safari, whose condition is now well managed, says this motivates her to take the time to ensure patients have their questions answered. 

Six years into her career, Safari is loving helping and interacting with patients. She also feels lucky to be working where she is.

“We have a really good team on Unit 49,” says Safari, explaining all the nurses, doctors and management put patients first. “I am always learning and feel very supported. Everyone really cares about the patients.”