Maris Williamson is an eighth-grade student at Anthony Wayne Middle School. She’s been diagnosed with a type of heart arrhythmia.
TOLEDO, Ohio — At just 13 years old, Anthony Wayne student Maris Williamson is proving that even a heart condition can’t stop her from pursuing her passion for sports.
Despite living with a type of heart arrhythmia, Maris continues to excel in both softball and basketball — sports she hopes to play at the college level.
Maris first learned something was wrong with her heart when she was eight years old. During a routine wellness check, her pediatrician noticed an irregular heartbeat.
“He paused for a long time while he was listening to her heart,” Andrea Williamson, Maris’ mom, recalled. “He noticed that the heartbeat wasn’t sounding how he typically expects it to, so he referred us to Dr. Moore.”
Dr. Jeffrey Moore, a pediatric cardiologist at ProMedica, diagnosed Maris with supraventricular tachycardia, a condition that causes her heart to race uncontrollably due to an extra electrical pathway.
“These kids can have an extra electrical pathway either inside the AV node or outside of the AV node,” Dr. Moore said. “What happens is the electrical signal can get stuck in a circle and it causes your heart to go really fast.”
The condition has led to frightening moments for Maris, including one at a recent basketball practice.
“Thirty minutes into it, I really felt my heart going and I had to step out. I thought I was having a mini heart attack,” she said.
To treat the condition, Maris has already undergone two heart ablation procedures — both unsuccessful. A third procedure is scheduled soon.
“I’m a little scared, but I just know that I trust the people that do it, and they’ve done it for a while,” Maris said.
For now, Maris keeps an AED with her at practice, just in case. Despite the uncertainty, her determination is unwavering.
Dr. Moore emphasizes that regular physicals are critical for all children, especially young athletes.
He also encourages athletes to speak up if something feels off, because early detection can make all the difference.