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
Layne Strookman - SCAD
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Today’s guest is Layne Strookman — a young wife, mother, and Nurse Practitioner. Despite her medical background, there was one condition she had never even heard of until the day it happened to her.
Layne was the picture of health. She was a collegiate athlete, a marathon runner, and someone who truly prioritized her wellness. But her life took a sudden and unexpected turn when she experienced a heart attack caused by SCAD — spontaneous coronary artery dissection. Although SCAD is considered a heart attack, in some cases it can also cause heart failure and that is what happened to Layne.
In this episode, Layne shares what it was like to suddenly become the patient instead of the provider, what her signs and symptoms were, and how she advocated for herself. She walks us through her recovery journey and how although she’s extremely grateful to be alive, her life doesn’t look like what she had planned.
Her story is a reminder that heart failure doesn’t always look the way we expect it to, and that listening to your body and speaking up for yourself can make all the difference.
LINKS:
Failure to Fit 1.0 - Click HERE for a listener-only discount.
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
For Speaking Inquiries please click here: Speaker Inquiry Form