Are There Any Risks to Quitting Smoking?...We all know of the great benefits that come with quitting smoking. From reducing premature death to saving a considerable amount of money, there are clear advantages to quitting smoking...reactionscomments
Playing the weight in game ...I’m on the Transplant list But I’m having a lot of anxiety that I might not be one of the lucky ones...reactions2repliesSurgery
The Strength of Community For Communal Health (Part 2)...Editor's note: This is part 2 of a series. Be sure to check out part 1! For her job, my mom kept many records to analyze the public health status...reactionscomments
PRETTY LADY CHRONICLES: Quiet Sickness...Overcoming a chronic illness or "sickness" can consist of a number of variables. While many are seen or expected, others are hidden in plain sight as environmental determinants. One such determinant is...reactions1comment
Board Games...As a CHF patient and someone who previously loved outdoor activity, it has been an adjustment to spend more time inside, especially lately during hot and humid summer days. I...reactions4comments
Links Between Sleep Apnea and Heart Failure...About 2-4 percent of adults have sleep apnea and about 1 in 3 people with heart failure also have sleep apnea. So, is there a connection between these two diseases?...reactions2comments
Managing Fluid Restrictions...Managing your fluid restrictions is tough! I have come across a few tricks and tips. However, please realize that this is hard and there is no way to totally take...reactions8comments
Life at First Glance...August 20, 2015: the day that changed my life forever. I remember waking up feeling hopeful but prepared for the unknown because at the time in my life the unknown...reactions2comments
The Pelvic Floor...Heart failure patients need to have a conversation about the pelvic floor! As a heart failure patient, a lot of medicine that we take (especially the diuretics) are hard on...reactionscomments
Living With Heart Disease Can Be Hard to Open Up About...I have felt discouraged in talking about my heart condition and sometimes even writing about my journey. Now and then, I have felt unmotivated, but recently, the lack of motivation...reactions6comments
Navigating a Heart Failure Diagnosis: 2021 In America Survey...Receiving a heart failure diagnosis is almost always a life-changing experience. Some people get the news after a major cardiac event, while others find out after years of slowly progressing...reactions2comments
What Are Myocardial Ischemia and Infarction?...I have been writing about things I experience in the hospital setting. Of course, we take care of many patients experiencing myocardial ischemia and infarction (a.k.a. heart attacks). I am...reactions2comments
Stress Test...Please help. After 5 stents from 4 trips to the cath lab over 20 years I know I will not live through another stress test. I am grateful to the...reactions9repliesDiagnosis
Pretty Lady Chronicles: Riding the Wave (Part 2)...Editor's note: This is part 2 of a series. Be sure to check out part 1! Somewhat blindsided, I didn't expect to hear I had three leaking heart valves, that...reactionscomments
Living the Dream...I’m a dreamer! Not the kind that dreams big and has set goals. I mean when I lay down for bed, dreams always come to me. Sometimes I couldn’t wait...reactionscomments
Relationships Between Patients and Doctors: a Pharmacist's Perspective (Part 2)...Editor's note: This is part 2 of a series. Be sure to check out part 1! In the first part of the article, we outlined why a good relationship with...reactions1comment
Blood Tests Your Doctor May Order and What They Mean...Doctors love ordering blood tests. This is because they offer great information about how you are doing medically. They allow your doctor to track how you are doing overtime and...reactionscomments
Should I Be Scared of a Cath?...I see many posts about people fearing a heart catheterization, so as someone who has had several, I want to help put the collective mind at ease. Keep in mind...reactions6comments
S.M.A.R.T. Goal Setting Principles...Living with heart failure means that we constantly have to monitor many aspects of our lives – how much salt are we eating, how much fluid are we drinking, how...reactions2comments
LUCKY ME!...In 2005, one year after I retired at age 63 I was going to bed and I started coughing. My wife said "why are you coughing like that" and I...reactions6comments