My Heart, My Mission: Why I Founded Heart N Hands

I never imagined my own heart journey would become the mission of my life's work."

At just 30 years old, I found myself fighting for something many of us take for granted - being heard. I knew something wasn't right with my health. I experienced symptoms that concerned me, but because I was young, my concerns were often dismissed. I was told I was too young to have heart disease. Like many women who were misdiagnosed, I left several appointments feeling unheard, frustrated, and searching for more answers. 

But I trusted my instincts.

I continued advocating for myself and refused to give up. Eventually, I found a cardiologist who finally listened to me and my symptoms. He looked beyond my age and took my concerns seriously. He ordered the necessary tests and evaluations that ultimately revealed a diagnosis that would change my life forever. 

I had severe coronary artery disease.

At 30 years old, I learned that two of my arteries were 98% and 95% blocked. Shortly thereafter, I underwent procedures that resulted in the placement of three stents to restore blood flow to my heart. My life would never be the same.

A Life-Changing Diagnosis
Receiving a diagnosis of coronary artery disease at such a young age was frightening and overwhelming. I had so many questions and very few answers. How could this happen? Did I miss the warning signs? Why didn't anyone recognize the warning signs sooner? What did this mean for my future?  As I began learning more about heart disease, I quickly realized something that continues to concern me today: too many women are unaware of their risk factors, symptoms, and the importance of prevention.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women, yet many women don't recognize the warning signs until it's too late. My diagnosis opened my eyes to a larger problem—and ultimately a larger purpose.

Turning a Personal Challenge into a Mission
I initially reached out to the American Heart Association and WomenHeart to find more answers and started to advocate for other young women who are not be aware that heart disease is the no. 1 killer of women in the United States. I needed to learn more. As I navigated my own heart health journey, I couldn't stop thinking about prevention. What if more people knew their numbers? What if young girls learned healthy habits before unhealthy patterns developed?

What if families had access to heart health education and resources earlier in life? I realized that while I couldn't change my own diagnosis, I could help change someone else's future. As I became a national spokeswomen for women and heart disease that realization became the foundation of Heart N Hands.

What started as a personal journey in the living room with my family evolved into a mission to educate, empower, and raise awareness about heart disease prevention and healthy living. I wanted to create an organization that focused not only on awareness but on action. An organization that would help girls and families build healthy habits before disease ever had a chance to develop.

Why We Focus on Girls
People often ask why Heart N Hands focuses on girls ages 10–18. The answer is simple. Prevention starts early.
The habits we develop as children and teenagers often follow us into adulthood. Teaching young girls about nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management, self-care, and heart health gives them tools that can benefit them for a lifetime. We are helping girls understand that taking care of their health is not something they do later—it starts NOW. When we educate one girl, we often influence an entire family. That is how generational health begins.

Building Heart N Hands
What began as a dream fueled by personal experience has grown into a movement. Over the past twelve years, Heart N Hands has educated and empowered thousands of girls and families through wellness programs, heart health education, community events, CPR training, leadership development, fitness initiatives, and prevention-focused programming. Every workshop, every event, every conversation, and every girl we reach reminds me why this work matters.

It reminds me of the 30-year-old woman who simply wanted someone to listen.
It reminds me that education saves lives.
It reminds me that prevention matters.

Looking Toward the Future
My vision for Heart N Hands has always been bigger than me
I envision communities where girls grow up understanding the importance of heart health. 
I envision families making healthier choices together.
I envision future generations who know their risk factors, advocate for themselves, and prioritize their wellness.
Most importantly, I envision a world where fewer women experience what I experienced because they had access to the education and tools they needed before a diagnosis ever occurred.

The work is far from over, but every day we move one step closer to that vision.

From My Heart to Yours
If my story teaches anything, I hope it reminds you to listen to your body, trust your instincts, and advocate for your health.

• Ask questions.
• Know your numbers.
• Prioritize prevention.
• Never let anyone dismiss your concerns.

Your voice matters. Your health matters. Your heart matters.
​
My heart journey became my mission, and that mission became Heart N Hands.
Together, we can create healthier futures, stronger communities, and a generation that understands the power of prevention.

Essence Harris Banks, Founder & CEO
Heart N Hands

​“At Heart N Hands, we believe education, awareness, and healthy habits can save lives. Together, we can raise a healthier generation — one heart at a time.”

About the Author

Essence Harris Banks is a heart disease survivor, advocate, and Founder & CEO of Heart N Hands. Inspired by her own diagnosis at age 30, she is dedicated to raising awareness, promoting prevention, and empowering girls and families to create healthier futures through heart health education and wellness.