Navigating Familial Hypercholesterolemia During the Holiday SeasonThe holidays are such a fun and festive time — but, let’s be real, they’re also bittersweet when you’re dealing with a chronic health condition like familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). There’s...reactionscomments
How Heart Disease Changed My LifeEvery day I wake up, I realize that I’m blessed, because I have beaten everything meant to destroy me. Life is a gift and is one of those things where...reactions3comments
Preparing for Surgery on Lifelong AnticoagulationI have a minor surgery coming up in a couple of weeks, and I’m going through the steps of getting ready for it. Some of those steps relate to being...reactions2comments
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...reactionscomments
Afraid of Being on Blood ThinnersI honestly don’t remember much about the days following my discharge from the ICU. As vivid as the days leading up to — and being admitted into — the ICU...reactionscomments
Navigating the Holidays With Heart DiseaseThe holidays are a season to be with family, friends, and loved ones. It is a joyous season filled with fun and tradition. It is a time when strangers become...reactions1comment
Getting an Emergency ThrombectomyMy first pulmonary embolism was pretty significant, and it needed to be addressed as soon as possible. After receiving the official diagnosis of PE, I was given a few options...reactions2comments
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...reactionscomments
Hearing Your Heartbeat — In Your Ear?As anyone with a chronic illness will tell you, new symptoms pop up all the time. A random joint pain here, a new palpitation there; it can all feel rather...reactionscomments
Hospital for the HolidaysAs we embark on the holidays, I start to think about everyone who is in the hospital for cardiovascular disease. Not only cardiovascular disease, but other diseases as well. When...reactions3comments
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...reactionscomments
Living With the Limitations of Dilated CardiomyopathyWhen I was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, I didn’t realize how much my life would change. By now, many of you know my story, but bear with me as we...reactions1comment
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...reactionscomments
The Cost of Living With Pulmonary HypertensionThe cost of living with pulmonary hypertension (PH) is very high. I’m not referring to the cost in dollars, although that, too, can be well into the hundreds of thousands...reactionscomments
How I Maintain a Positive Attitude With Dilated CardiomyopathyBeing positive is one of the hardest things in the world to do. It’s much easier to be negative and listen to those negative things we hear daily. People who...reactions1comment
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...reactionscomments
My Cardiac Rehab ExperienceHave you ever heard of cardiac rehab? Cardiac rehab is a program for patients diagnosed with certain heart conditions, as well as people recovering from surgeries or major health events...reactions3comments
In the Emergency Room With a Pulmonary EmbolismTo find out what led up to Christy’s ER experience, read more here. Everything was a whirlwind when I got to the ER that morning. I knew there was something...reactionscomments
It's Time to Fall into Healthy Habits! Enter Our GiveawayUPDATE: The 2024 Fall into Healthy Habits Giveaway is now closed. Thank you for your interest! Here at CardiovascularDisease.net, we want to thank our wonderful community members for all of...reactionscomments
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...reactionscomments
