How Heart Disease Changed the Way I EatWhen I was diagnosed with a form of heart disease called dilated cardiomyopathy, I never thought it would change the way I...reactionscomments
My HCM Diagnosis: Understanding the Warning SignsI was first diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in September of 2013 at the age 14, during my first month of high...reactions5comments
Breaking the CycleWhen I was 18, my world turned upside down. I was diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), a genetic condition that causes extremely...reactionscomments
Exercise, Heart Health, and FHFamilial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic disorder that causes abnormally high levels of cholesterol. This elevation significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular...reactionscomments
My Second Pulmonary EmbolismIt happened about a year and a half after my first one. Thankfully (?), I had the experience to know what was...reactions2comments
What It Means for Me to Still Be StandingWhen I was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy in 2014, I didn’t know my life would change so drastically. The impact it has...reactionscomments
Myths and Misconceptions About Heart DiseaseThere are many misconceptions about heart disease, but the fact of the matter is it can be an invisible disease — meaning...reactionscomments
My Stroke Rehabilitation ExperienceWhen I had a stroke and was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, I didn’t know what kind of twists and turns I would...reactions3comments
My FH Treatment: Embracing an InjectionWhen I was diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), it was a lot to take in. Knowing I had a genetic condition that...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...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...reactions2comments
What Is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)?Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a type of heart disease that affects the coronary arteries. These are arteries that supply blood to...reactionscomments
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...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...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...reactions2comments
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...reactions3comments
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...reactions1comment
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...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...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...reactionscomments
