Friendly Reminder: Be Careful About DehydrationI wanted to share a recent episode because it's a good reminder for all of us - even those of us who are NOT new heart failure patients. As background... By Morgan Drutchas2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Recovery From LVAD Surgery and Heart Transplant SurgeryMany people ask me which was a harder recovery: the transplant or LVAD surgery? So, let’s set the scene. Before I had LVAD surgery I suffered a stroke, so my... By Olivia Rose3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
What Diet Should I Follow?As a heart failure patient, the idea of a medically restricted diet can be overwhelming. It is easy to think there is a simple answer to the question "what diet... By Morgan Drutchas3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments1 comments
A Respiratory Therapist's Role in Managing Heart FailureI'm a respiratory therapist in a small town hospital. And I’ve been writing here in this community since its inception in February of 2019. I thought it would be neat... By John Bottrell, RRT3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Teaching My Daughter About Heart HealthHaving heart health issues run in my family for the longest time, I have taken it upon myself to teach my daughter about the ways that we can look after... By Clair G2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments3 comments
Back in the Job Market After Heart TransplantFinally back to the job market after being gone for 5 years. When I was diagnosed with advanced heart failure I was put on medical disability. It wasn’t just that... By Olivia Rose2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Community Views: Unexpected Symptoms of Heart FailureWhen dealing with heart failure (HF), it can be difficult to be prepared for each symptom that may arise. Many symptoms of HF come unexpectedly. This can make having HF... By Editorial Team 3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Using My Instant Pot for Heart Failure-Friendly FoodsAs a heart failure patient, I have found that the only way to eat a low sodium diet consistently is to cook your own food at home. Restaurant and pre-packaged... By Morgan Drutchas4 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
GIVEAWAY: Stay Hydrated With Stanley!The giveaway is now closed. Thanks for your interest! Finding the right balance between fluid restrictions and avoiding dehydration can be a tricky dance for folks managing heart failure. While... By Heart-Failure.net Team1 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Dating and Heart Disease"How can I date and cope with heart disease? Will he accept me? Will he judge me? Will he take advantage of me because I am sick? Will he really... By Kimberly Connell2 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
My 5-Year-Old Tells Other Kids About Getting an EKGMy family has a genetic heart condition called Brugada Syndrome which is often diagnosed from an abnormal EKG, and I have to be monitored yearly. Because of the family history... By Lisa Benson1 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Life With An LVADWhen I got diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy in 2014, I never knew that I would be in advanced heart failure 4 years later. Dilated cardiomyopathy is a heart disease that... By Olivia Rose3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments13 comments
How to Adjust to a Diagnosis of Heart Failure“You have heart failure,” is the single worst phrase you ever want to hear. Getting a diagnosis of heart failure is one of the most shocking things you can hear... By Olivia Rose3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments21 comments
Spring CleaningI love spring. My favorite season, hands down. With the flowers bursting from the ground and trees coming to life, it is such a time of rebirth and renewal. I... By Morgan Drutchas3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Community Views: Ways to Get Moving with Heart FailureRegular exercise is a cornerstone of maintaining a healthy heart, and we want to encourage you to get moving in any way possible! Exercise and heart failure can look different... By Heart-Failure.net Team3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments3 comments
Low Sodium - Where To Start?From personal experience, adjusting to a low sodium diet can be overwhelming at first. As a newly diagnosed patient, once you start looking into it you realize that salt is... By Morgan Drutchas3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Why Don't You Buy a Bigger House?To give some background information, my partner and I live in a teeny tiny house. The other day a well intentioned family member asked us when we are going to... By Morgan Drutchas3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
It Is Happening to Them, TooYou have been diagnosed with heart failure. Firstly, I am sorry. I am sorry that it exists and that it has affected you directly. There is so much to unpack... By Clair G3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Mental Health TherapyWhen you go through something as traumatic as being diagnosed with something like heart failure, it changes your entire life. My first taste of this was when I suffered a... By Olivia Rose3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Depression Is NormalEditor's Note: This article was written in summer 2023. Depression...for some reason even in 2023 it still feels like it is something you should not talk about. Something that is... By Amber Blackburn, RN3 min readBookmark for laterReactions0reactionsComments0 comments