In the world of collegiate sports, athletes are often celebrated for their physical prowess, determination, and resilience. However, there are moments when the challenges they face extend beyond the field and into the realm of personal health.

Such was the case for Olivia Howard, women’s soccer player at UC Santa Barbara. The junior forward from Dallas, Texas, encountered an unexpected and life-altering obstacle before even stepping on the field for the the Gauchos when a congenital heart defect was discovered during a routine incoming physical.

The initial shock of this diagnosis and the subsequent journey towards recovery not only transformed perspectives on the sport but also ignited a passion within to raise awareness about congenital heart defects, especially in young athletes.
 

For Howard, the revelation of her heart condition came as a complete shock. During a routine physical examination in late July of 2023, she underwent an electrocardiogram (EKG) for the first time. When the doctor asked her a series of questions that hinted at something concerning, Olivia’s world was turned upside down.

“I immediately knew something was wrong by the questions he was asking me,” Howard said. “And then he kind of told me that something came up in the EKG and he hadn't seen it before, and that I was going to need to see a cardiologist, and nobody was really giving me answers, so I was just freaking out and called my parents crying, and I'm like, something's wrong.”

The overwhelming fear of the unknown and the possibility of extended time away from women's soccer weighed heavily on her heart.

“I think the ultimate feeling was just concerned that I was going to miss out on the year,” she said.

But thanks to the expert medical care received, Howard's path back to Harder Stadium was a speedy one.
 

Fortunately, Olivia’s road to recovery was remarkably swift. After undergoing a heart ablation procedure on July 31, Howard took only about four days off before returning to the field. The procedure, though non-invasive, left some physical discomfort, but the mental aspect of the recovery was perhaps even more challenging.

“I never knew something was wrong. Nothing ever felt wrong. And then to go into surgery and come out and they're like, ‘OK, you're fixed,’ it doesn't really feel like anything changed,” she explained. “I think just the worry of, is it fixed, is it not, because you never knew something was wrong in the first place.”

Despite the mental and physical hurdles, Howard’s return to the sport was a testament to her determination and resilience capped by a storybook return and first collegiate goal in the first game suiting up for UCSB.
 

Olivia’s experience opened her eyes to the prevalence of congenital heart defects, which often go undetected. Realizing that the story could serve as a source of inspiration and awareness for others, Howard and her family began to advocate for early heart screenings in young athletes.

“I think the main thing, I want to raise awareness for athletes, but also just kids in general, because most cases, kids don't undergo an EKG after the age of 13, which is when these congenital heart defects can be detected, because they're not required in schools, in middle schools, and high schools,” she said. “I think I just want to reach parents because parents, they are the ones that take their kids to get echocardiograms, and I want the parents to understand just how common these defects are. One in 100 people have these heart defects, but also how easy of a fix it is, so that's if something is wrong, it can be easily fixed.”

By sharing her journey, Olivia hopes to encourage parents to take proactive measures to ensure their children’s heart health, as well as to emphasize the importance of early detection and treatment.
 

In the end, Olivia’s journey is not just about overcoming a congenital heart defect; it’s about resilience, determination and the power of community. The experience has not only made Howard a stronger athlete but also a passionate advocate for heart health awareness.

“I think I want my story to inspire others in the way of everything is possible, and everything is possible with the community you have around you,” Howard said. “My parents were a huge part of my story, and they helped me get back to being on the field and find my cardiologist and undergo surgery so quickly.

“I think anyone who's facing challenges, establish a strong support system and lean on them in the time of these challenges.”

As she continues her collegiate soccer career as a junior at UCSB as the reigning Big West Offensive Player of the Week, Olivia Howard serves as a reminder that with the right mindset and support, any obstacle can be conquered, and hearts can be healed—both on and off the field.