Heart Talk with Hillary
After surviving Acute Heart Failure at 33 years old I felt very alone in my recovery. I had never met anyone with heart failure let alone someone near my age. After beginning to share my story publicly and on social media I began meeting many other people who had also survived Acute Heart Failure. Some of these people had experienced it years before me, some had received a heart transplant and others were loved ones with family members currently hospitalized due to it. Connecting with these patients and family members was carthartic and opened my eyes to a whole new community of people I now had much in common with. I wanted to create this podcast so that other people who experienced heart failure could find this community of beautiful people and find the same hope and comfort that I did from hearing their stories. I hope that this podcast not only opens your eyes to a whole new community of brave, inspiring individuals, but that you also learn more about heart failure and all the ways in which it can affect people. Thank you for being here!
Disclaimer: This podcast does not include any medical advice and should not be taken as such. All views are our own and they are based upon individual lived experiences. Please speak with your healthcare provider if you have any questions related to your own health.
If you'd like to follow along on my heart failure advocacy and recovery journey you can find me on Instagram @hillarysheart. For any questions, comments or inquiries you can contact me via email at hillary@hillarysheart.com.
Heart Talk with Hillary
Layne Strookman - SCAD
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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