Living

Heart failure is hard. Really REALLY hard. One of the things that helped me get through is the hope that I can use my experiences to help others take their...

This June I found out I was pregnant. Yes, pregnant! The moment I saw a positive test I was numb. I didn't know what to feel or think. The next...

Most months of the year are used as a time of awareness for a certain disease. That said, February is known as American Heart Month as well as Women's Heart...

Learning to live with heart failure can be challenging. Even small activities may require much more energy than they once did. Some activities may even become impossible. To better understand...

I am a respiratory therapist. I am often asked to help people when they are feeling shortness of breath. Heart failure can cause you to feel short of breath. Respiratory...

Living with a long-term health condition requires us to stay on top of everything: doctor’s appointments, new symptoms, insurance, and, of course, managing treatment – all while taking care of...

You've survived a heart attack, one that was most likely unexpected. Now what? You've spent days with a lot of medication attention, being constantly watched, tethered to wires connected to machines...

When it comes to dealing with heart failure, your doctor plays a key role in your long-term health and well-being. Having a doctor who listens and shows concern can have...

Unfortunately, a diagnosis of heart failure is often accompanied by a change in diet. Usually, people talk about the necessity of limiting one's sodium intake. In my experience, doctors can...

Editor's note: This is part 2 in a series. Be sure to read part 1! I wrote about surviving a fall down the stairs and a subsequent ER visit with...

Heart failure is really REALLY hard. So, as a disclaimer, I am not writing this in hopes of communicating some idea that we fake gratitude then we can magically somehow...

I was afraid to talk about it out loud because I didn't want to accept it. Do you ever notice when you find out you're diagnosed with something the symptoms...

Editor's note: This is part 1 of a series. Be sure to read part 2! Months ago, as I headed downstairs to my kitchen, I slipped on the last two...

As a congestive heart failure patient, I am aware of the many benefits of engaging in regular physical activity. However I was surprised when I learned about some of the...

Whether you know it or not, problems with your heart affect your sex life. Think about it! Every part of your body requires blood flow – even the parts down below...

While heart failure affects each person differently, there is no doubt that it is a challenging condition for everyone who lives with it. You likely manage your condition with medicines...

When I was first diagnosed with Brugada Syndrome, I have to admit I felt a little scared. I had seen my dad deal with the symptoms and get his ICD...

Life is what you make it. Well, at least that's what I was told. I'm not sure I ever understood what that meant for many years. What I do know...

A diagnosis of heart failure can be tough. It may be hard for someone on the outside to truly understand the realities of living with this condition. To help paint...

For me, one of the challenges with my heart failure diagnosis has been how to dress this new body. I have experienced weight gain and swelling in my abdomen and...