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
What Is Post-Thrombotic Syndrome?Post-thrombotic syndrome is a possible complication of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). In DVT, a blood clot forms in one of the veins found deep in the body, usually in the...reactionscomments
Ignoring the Symptoms of Pulmonary EmbolismAfter struggling with an ankle injury for over 6 months, one of my doctors finally did an MRI, which showed extensive damage in my ankle and needed surgery. I was...reactions1comment
F.A.S.T.: Spotting the Signs of StrokeWhen I suffered a stroke for the first time, I didn’t know the signs of a stroke. Better yet, I had no idea that a stroke could happen in young...reactionscomments
What Is Critical Limb Ischemia?Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is a severe form of peripheral artery disease (PAD). In people with PAD, the arteries that supply blood to their limbs become narrow. This makes it...reactionscomments
Having a Job With CardiomyopathyWhen I was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy in 2014, it came with a career change. When you have cardiomyopathy, as with other cardiovascular diseases, it does not interact well with...reactionscomments
The Events Leading Up to My First Pulmonary EmbolismThe 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...reactionscomments
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...reactionscomments
