Local mom puts heart and health first for family

Kara Swink's journey to prioritize her heart health for the sake of her children

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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Kara Swink, a mother in Waco, Texas, lived with an undiagnosed heart condition called Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) for years before finally getting treatment. She delayed the necessary ablation procedure out of fear, but eventually realized she needed to prioritize her health to be the best mom for her kids. Now, Swink is sharing her story to encourage other busy moms to make their own heart health a priority.

Why it matters

Swink's story highlights the challenges many mothers face in balancing their own health needs with the demands of caring for their families. By sharing her experience, she hopes to inspire other moms to be proactive about their cardiovascular wellbeing, which can have a profound impact on their ability to be present and active in their children's lives.

The details

Swink first started experiencing symptoms of SVT, which causes an abnormally fast heart rate, when she was a teenager. However, the condition went undiagnosed for years, even during her pregnancies, until doctors finally detected the irregular heartbeat. Swink was hesitant to undergo the recommended ablation procedure, fearing she might not survive and leave her children without a mother. But as her symptoms persisted, she realized she needed to prioritize her health for the sake of her family. After the successful procedure, Swink is now able to be more present and active with her three children.

  • Swink first started experiencing symptoms of SVT as a teenager, around age 13 or 14.
  • Swink was diagnosed with SVT during her first pregnancy, when doctors detected the irregular heartbeat while monitoring her.
  • Swink delayed the recommended ablation procedure for over 5 years after her initial diagnosis.
  • Swink ultimately underwent the ablation procedure to treat her SVT.

The players

Kara Swink

A mother in Waco, Texas who lived with an undiagnosed heart condition called Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) for years before finally getting treatment.

Dr. Bobby Chen

An electrophysiologist with Waco Cardiology who recommended the ablation procedure to treat Swink's SVT.

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What they’re saying

“Really bad headaches, fainting spells like just not well”

— Kara Swink (fox44news.com)

“Instead of just like a bump, bump, bump, there was like another, like, beat in between those....followed by extreme high heart rate”

— Kara Swink (fox44news.com)

“Probably one of my biggest fears was that, you know, I was going to potentially leave two of my babies without a mama”

— Kara Swink (fox44news.com)

“As moms, we're all busy. We're all going a million miles an hour, taking care of the kids, taking care of the house, working. So sometimes we forget to take care of ourselves, and that has a ripple effect into your family”

— Kara Swink (fox44news.com)

“Ablation is best described as modification of heart tissue, typically to stop or prevent abnormal rhythms from showing up”

— Dr. Bobby Chen, Electrophysiologist, Waco Cardiology (fox44news.com)

What’s next

Ascension Providence is providing a $39 heart screening for the month of February to help people stay on top of their heart health.

The takeaway

Kara Swink's story is a powerful reminder for busy mothers to prioritize their own health and wellbeing, as doing so can have a profound impact on their ability to care for their families. By sharing her experience, Swink hopes to inspire other moms to be proactive about their cardiovascular health.