Living

The months leading up to my diagnosis were filled with an incredible amount of stress. On top of being sick with a lung infection that I couldn’t get rid of...

As 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...

When 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...

Having a great support system is vital when you are diagnosed with a chronic condition like heart disease, especially when you have your "down days" and feel like you are...

By now, I'm sure we've all been told by a doctor — or someone else — about the importance of a healthy diet and not consuming a lot of fast...

From 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...

A stroke, according to the Cleveland Clinic, is "a life-threatening condition that happens when part of your brain doesn’t have enough blood flow. This most commonly happens because of a...

Being diagnosed with a cardiovascular condition can be a difficult and life-changing experience. Many people who are newly diagnosed may feel confused and alone. At CardiovascularDisease.net, you are never alone...

Familial 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...

Buckle up for a wild ride of heart conditions history. I recently had to go through my entire family medical history with my new cardiologist here in Wisconsin, so I...

There 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...

It took me a long time to come to terms with my dilated cardiomyopathy diagnosis. I was diagnosed in 2014 after suffering a stroke at a fitness competition. At 25...

If you ask anyone who knows me if I like coffee, they will likely cackle and say, "Have you met the guy?" It's true, coffee is one of my favorite...

Social 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...

Editor’s Note: This article was written by Karen Parete and originally appeared on our partner site Heart-Failure.net. One of the best volunteer programs I’ve seen and experienced myself was at...

When I was first diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension (PH), I thought I had to be homebound and kiss my travel goals goodbye. Granted, at the time, it was too difficult...

Last year, I moved from Florida to Wisconsin. It was to pursue a new degree and to make a career shift. So far, I've enjoyed my experience in a new...

I vividly remember my very first visit with my pulmonary hypertension specialist. He was incredibly patient with me and took the time to deliver such fragile and life-altering news. I...

You 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...

It was 4 AM on January 1, 2001. Pain on the right side of my chest woke me up. I was also sweating like I had been running in 98-degree...