It All Came TogetherI was 17 years old when doctors told me I wouldn't be able to bear children. When I heard that news, it really didn't affect me at the time. I...reactions4comments
Pelvic Floor 101When I started taking Lasix, I started experiencing acute pelvic floor issues, including pain, pressure, sexual issues (pain during intercourse), and urinary urgency issues, among others. I have been going...reactions1comment
How I Survived Heart FailureMy name is Olivia, and I am a 2-time stroke survivor, former LVAD patient, and heart transplant recipient. I was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy in 2014 after suffering a stroke. I...reactions3comments
Small Scale Gardening - Flowers in Your HeartGrowing plants in your mind and heart is as effective as growing them in your home. Often with heart failure, we may need to give up or downscale our major...reactions1comment
Let's Get in AweHeart failure has caused many of us to slow down, as we no longer have the same level of functionality as before. For instance, I have less energy, and the...reactionscomments
5 Things to Remember While In the HospitalAs a registered nurse (RN) for 15 years who has spent a considerable amount of time in the hospital over the last decade due to chronic illness, I have seen...reactions6comments
Let's Discuss Nasal CannulasMany people with a heart failure history do not need home oxygen therapy. But there are some in this community who do benefit from it. A majority of those who...reactions1comment
How to Eat Less Red MeatSome of us with heart failure may have stents, or for some other reason, have been told to try to limit the amount of saturated fat we eat. For me...reactionscomments
Mental Health Awareness"What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, and more unashamed conversations." -Glenn Close The first time I was introduced to mental health was when I was in the...reactions5comments
How To Stay PositiveStaying positive is something I struggle with and it is an everyday mental battle for me. It is so much easier to be negative, in my opinion, especially when it...reactions2comments
Low Impact Movement for Your Heart HealthExercise when you have heart failure is one of those conversations that can truly go any which way. Many people have very strong opinions about this. What one person is...reactions9comments
Living in the MomentIn my experience, the "what if's" and future trajectory of my heart failure are sources of stress. And it's hard to forget that you are a heart failure patient given...reactions2comments
My Cardiac Rehab ExperienceAfter suffering my second stroke in December 2018, and my LVAD (left ventricular assist device) surgery in January 2019, I started being evaluated for cardiac rehab. According to the American...reactionscomments
Finding A CommunityWhen I was first diagnosed with Postpartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM) I was very confused, and I felt very alone and uncertain. When I searched for my condition on google, the prognosis...reactions2comments
Check Out That HeartHeart health is a very important topic. I honestly feel that it does not get enough limelight. This is not only valid for people with heart failure and related health conditions. I...reactions2comments
What Is Intubation and What Are Ventilators?So, sometimes heart failure causes flare-ups (exacerbations), and flare-ups often require you to seek help, which often results in a trip to the emergency room (ER). Once in the ER...reactions3comments
Dancing as a Source of Exercise?As a heart failure patient, my doctors have told me how important regular exercise is. I think it is far easier to do something consistently when it is fun! And...reactions2comments
Misconceptions About StrokesAccording to John Hopkins Medicine, "a stroke or brain attack happens when blood flow to your brain is stopped." I think the biggest misconception when it comes to strokes is...reactions3comments
Am I Having a Panic or Heart Attack?It's likely that you have experienced stress, anxiety, or panic at some point. But overwhelming worry, stress, and panic can cause your body to physically respond through cardiac symptoms. These...reactionscomments
5 Ways To Prevent Heart DiseaseI am aware there is a high risk for heart disease in my family. My mom and her 7 siblings all have/had high blood pressure, and of those who passed...reactions1comment