Patricia was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) at the age of 13 after a DNA test was carried out because her mother suddenly collapsed in the supermarket and ended up in hospital. After giving birth to her son, Patricia became very ill and developed severe heart failure.

In her book "Open hearted, My Life with a Failing Heart", she described her medical history. In 2018, she received a donor heart and has been able to resume her working life, in which she continues to dedicate herself to people with cardiomyopathy and scientific Research.