Heart Talk with Hillary
After surviving acute heart failure at just 33 years old, I felt incredibly alone in my recovery. I had never met anyone living with heart failure—let alone someone close to my age. As I began sharing my story publicly and on social media, I discovered something I never expected: a community of people whose lives had also been touched by heart failure.
Some were survivors who had walked this path years before me. Some had received heart transplants. Others were family members supporting loved ones through hospitalization and recovery. Connecting with these individuals was both healing and inspiring. It reminded me that none of us are truly alone, even in life's most difficult circumstances.
I created this podcast to help others find that same sense of connection, hope, and community. Through conversations with heart failure survivors, caregivers, cardiologists, and heart failure specialists, my goal is to share stories that educate, encourage, and remind listeners that there is life beyond a diagnosis.
Whether you are a patient, caregiver, healthcare professional, or simply someone wanting to learn more, I hope this podcast introduces you to an incredible community of resilient, courageous people. I also hope it helps raise awareness about heart failure and the many ways it impacts individuals and families around the world.
Thank you for being here and for being part of this journey.
Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individual speakers. Always consult your healthcare provider regarding questions or concerns about your own health or medical care.
To follow my heart failure advocacy and recovery journey, find me on Instagram @hillarysheart. For questions, comments, speaking opportunities, media inquiries, or collaboration requests, please contact me via email: hillary@hillarysheart.com.
Heart Talk with Hillary
Sienna's Story - HLHS & Severe Heart Failure
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In today’s episode you’ll get to hear from Fano and Francesca, the proud parents of a beautiful 4yr old girl named, Sienna. Sienna was born with HLHS which stands for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. HLHS causes the left side of the heart to be underdeveloped. Thankfully it has a good prognosis with the help of multiple surgeries including an open heart surgery that usually occurs when a baby is just a few days old. Sienna was doing really well until their entire family got sick with the flu in December of 2022 and it hit Sienna the hardest. Sienna was taken to the hospital while sick with the flu and was diagnosed with severe heart failure. Sienna has not left the hospital since that day. Next week will mark the 2 year anniversary of Sienna being inpatient while awaiting a heart transplant. Fano and Francesca share their heart wrenching account of being told multiple times that Sienna had been perfectly matched with a donor heart only to have something fall through including a donor family rescinding their offer while Sienna was in surgery. I learned so much from this conversation and I know that you will too. This was a first for me on the podcast as I’ve never had anyone discuss a pediatric heart failure story. This conversation had me audibly choked up in the end but I’m so grateful for these incredible parents for sharing Sienna’s story.
For more information on organ donation please visit unos.org. To read some incredible donor and transplant stories filled with hope please visit donorconnect.life.
To follow Sienna's journey on Instagram follow @wholeheartedlysienna
You can also follow me on instagram @hillarysheart
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🫀, Hillary
DISCLAIMER: The information shared in this podcast is intended for educational, inspirational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. All opinions expressed are my own or those of my guests, based on our personal experiences. Always consult with your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding any questions or concerns you may have about your health or a medical condition.
If you have any questions or comments please feel free to email Hillary at hillary@hillarysheart.com
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