Navigating an Untreated SeasonLiving with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) has always been a journey of highs and lows, but I am currently in a season of being unmedicated, and it feels particularly raw. FH...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Advocacy, Grief, and the Emotional JourneyLiving with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a unique challenge, not just because of the physical condition itself, but because of the emotional weight it carries. For me, FH isn’t just...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
A Curse and a BlessingFamilial hypercholesterolemia (FH), or genetically high cholesterol, is a unique health condition that’s impacted my life in ways I never expected. Living with FH often feels like I’m walking a...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Eating for Heart and Soul HealthWhen I was first diagnosed with genetically high cholesterol (familial hypercholesterolemia, or FH for short), I wanted to do everything in my power to manage my condition without medication. Spoiler...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Blood Test Jitters? Try My Routine!Living with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) means regular blood tests are just a part of my life. If you have FH or another chronic condition that requires frequent blood work, you...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Navigating Genetic High Cholesterol Through Life’s Hard SeasonsLiving with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is like carrying an invisible weight. You can’t see it, but it’s always there, reminding you that every choice matters when it comes to your...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Chronic Illness: We May Feel Alone, But We're NotAs someone living with a chronic illness, I’ll be the first to say that it can be a daunting and often isolating experience. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, upset, and...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Breaking the CycleWhen I was 18, my world turned upside down. I was diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), a genetic condition that causes extremely high LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels and significantly increases...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
External Health Does Not Equal Internal HealthFrom the outside, I am the picture of health. I’m young, 31 years old. I'm fit, able to do pull-ups and deadlift twice my bodyweight. I’m a wellness professional; my...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Mental Health and High CholesterolFamilial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic condition that is often underdiagnosed and undertreated, leaving many individuals to navigate its challenges alone. While the physical implications of FH, such as increased...Reactions0reactionsComments7 comments
Radically Accepting the DiagnosisThere are moments where life just shakes you. Where things go from normal to not-so-normal in the blink of an eye. For many of us, that very thing has happened...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Navigating Social Situations With High CholesterolSocial situations tend to revolve around 1 thing: food. And not typically heart-healthy food, like vegetables and healthy fats. It’s unfortunate that many foods that taste "good" to us are...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
The Silver Lining Behind Chronic IllnessYou might read this title and think something like, "Really? Let’s see how out-of-touch or toxically positive this article is." The reality is, many of us with chronic health conditions...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Talking to Family About the Genetic Risk of Heart DiseaseWhile the development of some types of heart disease can be somewhat within our control in terms of lifestyle factors, there are also many elements beyond our control that can...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Grief and PurposeGrief is a complex emotion; there are expectations around how to grieve, when to grieve, and guilt that comes with not meeting those expectations. You can’t force grief. You just...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
My Diagnosis Brought Me From Outcast to ImpactGetting diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), also known as genetically high cholesterol, at age 17 was not easy. Do you know what else was not easy? Being a freshman in...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Navigating Disappointing Test ResultsWith chronic conditions comes regular testing. As someone with genetically high cholesterol, also known as familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), I am no stranger to regular blood tests. I usually test my...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
A Heart-Centered Check-In: The 4 Pillars of Sustainable WellnessIf there’s anything I’ve learned in the last 12 years of knowingly living with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), or genetically high cholesterol, it’s that a heart-healthy life is multifaceted. Sure, anyone...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Diagnosed With Familial Hypercholesterolemia: Now What?So you just got diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolemia. Now what? It was shocking, receiving the diagnosis. At the time, I thought, 'How could I have high cholesterol? I’m a teenager...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments