Living

I was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy which later turned into advanced heart failure. After having gone through surgery for a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD), my life seemed like it...

Like our other Health Union condition communities, the Social Health Network brings people together to drive unique and impactful conversations about health. It also aims to expand opportunities for health...

Advanced heart failure is when your heart stops responding to medical treatments and therapy. After suffering a second stroke and being diagnosed with advanced heart failure, I thought it was...

Meditation is an ancient practice that began thousands of years ago. It originally was used as part of a person’s spiritual practice. But it has gained popularity in recent years...

We see them in the news about everything from peanut butter to heart pumps – RECALLS! Recalls protect us from bad or outdated products. In the United States, most people...

People with chronic health conditions like heart failure often face complex treatment plans and multiple doctor visits. Brain fog, fatigue, and problems concentrating are frequent side effects too. That is...

The topic of having children as a heart failure patient is near and dear to my heart. I was diagnosed with heart failure at 35 before I had gotten a...

A recent stop by law enforcement triggered my afib, a rapid heart rate; incited anxiety, and brought about a new onset of PTSD. Prior to this incident, I have had...

Dilated cardiomyopathy is a heart disease that happens when the left ventricle is no longer pumping blood efficiently enough to the body. When I first got diagnosed in 2014, at...

Now that colder weather is upon us, something that those of us with heart failure might be thinking about is: how do we get our steps in when walking outside...

As with any chronic disease, it often takes time to learn the dos and don’ts of living with heart failure. Here are a few to keep in mind. Do seek help...

I have found some additional money-making opportunities lately, and I wanted to share them in case anyone needed to make a few extra bucks! There are several options out there...

Living My Best Life AND Heart Failure? Is it really possible to use those two statements in the same sentence? Many of us understand that being a patient is a...

Advocacy was not the first thing that came to my mind following my diagnosis of end-stage heart failure. In fact, it was probably the furthest thing from it. However, advocacy...

I work in a hospital as a respiratory therapist. I take care of anyone who is short of breath. If you come to the hospital experiencing severe shortness of breath...

Being a parent is a tiring job. And life with heart failure often comes with fatigue. Together, fatigue and heart failure can leave you feeling completely exhausted, even defeated. Fatigue...

As fall is here and we start having to think about bending over and putting shoes on (sandals no longer count), putting heavy coats on, etc., it has made me...

I am a respiratory therapist. I started this job in 1997. Back then, we were told by our teachers that the median life expectancy of heart failure patients was 2...

Talking with your children about your heart failure can cause major anxiety. You do not know how your child will react. You might worry that they will get upset or...

I think most adults have heard how important communication is in a relationship. Any relationship. From personal experience, I would basically agree. I have been with my boyfriend for almost...