Author: mhadmin
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Congenital Heart Defect (CHD): Josie’s story
“There’s something wrong with your baby’s heart.” Like you, those words are forever etched into my soul…. Hi there, I’m Josie, and I’m a heart mom. At the 20-week ultrasound for my third daughter, Maya, we received life-changing news – not only did she have a congenital heart defect, but she also has Down Syndrome.…
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In A Heartbeat: Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement for Aortic Stenosis
Larry Haffner, long time member of Mended Hearts and TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement) recipient gives an account of his experience with the procedure in the linked article. Larry is also an accredited visitor of Mended Hearts and can attest to the benefits of receiving and giving support. Larry Haffner was interviewed in a recent…
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What’s the Difference Between TAVR and Open-Heart Surgery?
According to the American Heart Association, aortic stenosis (AS) is the most common type of heart valve disease and affects about 20% of older Americans. For years, the only treatment for severe AS was open-heart surgery — or surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Then, in 2012, the FDA approved a new treatment called transcatheter aortic…
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How to Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S. Some people are genetically more likely to get heart disease, but that doesn’t mean they’re destined to develop it. While things like family history, sex and age play a role, there are steps you can take to limit your…
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Understanding the Role of Genetics in Heart Disease
What causes heart disease? Heart disease isn’t a single illness. Instead, it represents several conditions impacting the heart’s ability to function. The most common type of heart disease in the U.S. is coronary artery disease (CAD), which affects the blood flow to the heart. Other types of heart disease can affect the valves or heart…
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Chronic Illness and Mental Health: 9 Tips for Self-Care
Is your heart condition a constant added weight on your mind and schedule? Navigating everyday life between doctor visits and treatment schedules can be more challenging than those around you realize. Maybe you’re making it all look easy when it feels anything but. In reality, chronic illnesses like heart disease can negatively affect your physical…
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Causes and Symptoms of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a disease that creates an abnormal thickness of the heart muscle, making it harder for the heart to pump blood. HCM is the most common form of genetic heart disease, affecting about 1 in 500 people. While some with HCM have no symptoms, the disease can lead to life-threatening complications such…
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Your Guide to Foods For a Healthy Heart
If you’ve recently experienced a heart event, you’ve probably heard some version of the following: “Make sure you’re planning heart-healthy meals.” “Eat only healthy foods for the heart.” ”Focus on foods for a healthy heart.” This is all excellent advice for someone with a heart condition, but what exactly does heart-healthy mean? This post will…
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How to Manage Stress as a Sandwich-Generation Caregiver
It’s an increasingly familiar scene in homes across the country: A middle-aged woman returns home from her nine-to-five job. Her house is alive with activity — the familiar din of voices calling for her attention. Her young son greets her at the door, eager to show off his gold-starred work. Upstairs, her elderly father watches…
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Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Sara’s Story
Sara Karlin, 70, lives on a hill. In the past, when she’d go for a walk in her Portland neighborhood, she’d have to pause halfway up the hill to catch her breath. That all changed seven years ago when Karlin underwent a septal myectomy surgery to remove excess scar tissue from the walls of her…