By Sara Wagoner
Communications Manager

Seventy-five. What does this number represent? No, it’s not your favorite athlete’s jersey number. This number represents something much more important- something most of us don't even think about or know. It’s the normal number of heart beats per minute in most of us. However, this was not the case for Danielle Frasier of Encinitas, Calif.

Danielle participated in the 2007 ReBath Heather Farr Classic.

Last year, Danielle was diagnosed with a rare heart condition known as Superventricular Tachycardia. The condition is just as scary as the name. When someone has SVT they experience accelerated heart rates, in Danielle’s case, 270 beats per minute. When the heart beats that fast, the heart cannot fill properly between beats and does not pump blood efficiently.

In December of 2005, while playing in a golf tournament, Danielle experienced what she calls one of her "episodes." She began feeling dizzy, had a shortness of breath and her heart was pounding. Most episodes last between one and two minutes, this one lasted 15.

In what she calls one of the scariest days of her life, Danielle knew something was seriously wrong. After seeing a heart specialist the next day, Danielle learned how her life would change forever.

Put on special medication to help control the episodes, Danielle found herself unable to be the typical 14-year-old she used to be. Danielle could no longer play the game she loved. She was too tired to walk 18 holes of golf and found that life in the classroom was changing as well. Her grades began to suffer; all her free time was spent resting.

Something had to change. She underwent a special surgery know as radiofrequency ablation. This was the only way for Danielle to get her life back. Having never suffered anything more serious than a sprained ankle, Danielle recalls crying herself to sleep at night being so scared. In February 2006, Danielle underwent the surgery and her life was changed.

A year later, the honorable mention Rolex Junior All-American and AJGA champion is using her experiences and voice to help others.

Danielle poses with Andrew Putnam after taking home top honors at the 2006 Pacific Northwest International Junior presented by Jeff Troesch.

“It was so surprising to me how many people are unaware of the symptoms of heart conditions,” Danielle said. “It’s important for me to get the word out.”

Serving as a youth advocate for the American Heart Association, Danielle spent several on Capitol Hill in April to ask for support from our country's leaders in the fight against the nation's number one killer. Speaking on behalf of the American Heart Association, Danielle used her voice as a tool to inform and educate our leaders on the importance of supporting funding to find a cure for heart disease.

In spite of all the hard times Danielle and her family have endured in the past couple of years, Danielle has found a bright spot in lieu of it all. Realizing that the situation could be worse, Danielle knows she is lucky to be where she is and on her way to a healthy recovery.

“My life has completely changed, and I now know not to take anything for granted,” Danielle said. “You must take every moment and make it worth while.”