Mother, 24, who was told her common heart problem was ‘nothing to worry about’ dies months after giving birth

A mother who was told her common heart problem was “nothing to worry about” died from a complication just months after giving birth.

Hollie Lowes was diagnosed with Wolff Parkinson White syndrome (WPW) – an abnormal heartbeat that causes the organ to pump too fast – but doctors assured her family the risks were low.

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However, less than five months after welcoming her son into the world, the 24-year-old suffered a fatal cardiac arrest.

Doctors reportedly said Hollie’s heart had stopped due to her WPW – a rare side effect.

“We were told there were no risks associated with WPW and that Hollie could continue her life as normal,” said her younger sister Sophie.

“Doctors said that in the worst case scenario it could cause her to faint or have a rapid heartbeat, but there was no mention of cardiac arrest.

“If we had known this was going to be in the cards, we would have pushed for regular check-ups, but we were assured everything was fine.”

Hollie, from Newcastle, went into labor at 27 weeks on Christmas Day last year.

She and her partner of 10 years, Kieran, stayed by little Vinnie’s side for nine weeks until he was strong enough to leave hospital.

Months later, on May 15, Hollie suffered an “unexpected and devastating” cardiac arrest at home.

“She had slept normally the night before, but woke up and turned to her partner to express that she didn’t feel very well and felt like she was going to pass out,” Sophie said.

Hollie then passed out and stopped breathing completely.

His mother and Kieran immediately performed CPR and called 999 before his father arrived with a defibrillator.

“Hollie was shocked several times before the ambulance arrived,” Sophie said.

After nine days in intensive care, Hollie died on May 24.

“She suffered brain damage and despite the efforts of the incredible nurses and doctors, she did not survive,” Sophie said.

“Doctors said the cardiac arrest was caused by WPW – something we were told we would never need to worry about.

“Unfortunately, they couldn’t be more wrong.”

Hollie and Kieran just had the privilege of having a child together and now it’s been ripped away from them

Sophie LowesHollie’s sister

She added: “Hollie and Kieran have just had the privilege of having a child together and now it has been ripped away from them.

“Speaking on behalf of my family, we are all absolutely devastated; words don’t even come close to describing how we feel.

“Hollie was an amazing person who always went out of her way to help others. She was the kindest person man knew.

“She lit up every room and will be loved forever.”

Mickley Social FC, an amateur football team in the Hexham and District Sunday League, will hold a charity match in his memory on 23 June.

Sophie also released a GoFundMe page.

‘CONTINUING HIS LEGACY’

All money raised will help pay for Hollie’s funeral, go into a trust fund for her son and spread awareness about WPW, she said.

Sophie added: “There were no stressful events leading up to Hollie’s cardiac arrest, which is why it was so unexpected and devastating.

“We want to raise awareness about WPW and try to make sure no other family feels like we do right now.

“We will never stop talking about Hollie and there will be pictures of her everywhere.

“She loved shopping, being with family and friends and going on vacation. She also loved her sausage dog Bruno.

“Let’s tell her son how fantastic his mother was every day. We’ll make sure baby Vinnie knows this.

“His partner Kieran will continue his legacy.”

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Between one and three people in every 1,000 are thought to have WPW in the UK.

For most patients, it causes occasional, mild episodes of racing heart.

But in some cases it can be fatal, especially if it occurs along with atrial fibrillation – a type of irregular heartbeat.

Heart for Life estimates that there is an annual risk of sudden death of approximately one in 200.

Having a high-risk job, such as a pilot or professional athlete, also increases your risk, according to the British Heart Foundation.

Estimates vary, but cardiac arrest as a result of WPW is believed to be rare.

Sinai cedarsa teaching hospital, says, “WPW is usually not a big problem for most people; you can control or correct the condition with treatment.

“Worrying symptoms include fainting with very rapid heartbeats.

“There is a very small risk of cardiac arrest if the heart rate becomes extremely fast.

“This may be seen in people who also have atrial fibrillation (another type of arrhythmia).”

Hollie was diagnosed with WPW shortly after birth when her heart rate “skyrocketed.”