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...reactionscomments
My Stroke StoryA 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...reactions2comments
Community Perspectives: Navigating a CVD DiagnosisBeing 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...reactionscomments
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...reactions7comments
What Is Venous Thromboembolism (VTE)?Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is when a blood clot forms inside your veins. Blood clots are gel-like clumps of blood. They usually form after an injury to help stop bleeding. If...reactionscomments
My Family's Heart HistoryBuckle 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...reactionscomments
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...reactionscomments
Accepting My Cardiomyopathy DiagnosisIt 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...reactions2comments
Can You Really Have Broken Heart Syndrome?Sometimes, emotional or stressful situations can damage the heart. This condition is called broken heart syndrome, or takotsubo cardiomyopathy. You may have heard its most extreme form referred to as...reactionscomments
Caffeine and the Heart: A Heart-to-Heart With My CardiologistIf 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...reactionscomments
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...reactionscomments
Care for the CaregiversEditor’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...reactionscomments
Traveling With Pulmonary HypertensionWhen 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...reactionscomments
Finding a New Cardiologist is DifficultLast 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...reactionscomments
What to Know About Pulmonary EmbolismPulmonary embolism (PE) is when blood flow to the lungs is blocked. This can result in damage to the parts of the lungs that do not get enough blood flow...reactionscomments
I Have Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Now What?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...reactionscomments
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...reactionscomments
Waking Up With Chest Pain While FemaleIt 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...reactionscomments
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...reactionscomments
What Is the Difference Between Familial and Acquired High Cholesterol?Cholesterol is a type of fat (lipid). It is produced by the liver. It has many important functions such as digesting food and making hormones. But, if the amount of...reactionscomments