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A Hermann woman recently championed for women's heart health in Washington D.C. after experiencing a quadruple bypass surgery.

It was something Denise Witthaus never expected to do.

"Three years ago, lying in my hospital bed after quadruple heart bypass surgery, I would never have dreamed of visiting Washington DC to advocate, lobby and educate our lawmakers on behalf of all the women in America living with or at risk for heart disease," Witthaus said in a news release. "I had just endured a quadruple heart bypass surgery at the age of 45 and thought my life was over."

Witthaus had two heart attacks in one week -- the first diagnosed as a panic attack. She had been diagnosed with coronary artery disease and ended up having emergency bypass surgery.

She joined 48 women heart disease survivors in Washington D.C. last week. They met with representatives adn congress people to educate the lawmakers on women's number one medical killer.

Witthaus met with lawmakers to share her story of heart survival. The WomenHeart Champions also honored DHHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius with the Award for Excellence in Public Service at the Wenger Awards. 

Witthaus said her visit gave her the opportunity to speak on behalf of all women living with heart disease in the United States.

"These women are fighting the same obstacles I fought three years ago," she said. "Our patients, health care providers and policy makers are not educated on the disparities of women vs. men's heart disease research, research reporting, diagnosis techniques and treatment differences."