I AM YOU - Joanne Patella

The podcast I Am You is hosted by Dr. Nitza Alvarez, a board-certified cardiologist and bestselling author. Each episode is designed to empower women to take control of their well-being and become the CEO of their own health.

In this episode, Dr. Alvarez speaks with Joanne Patella, a vibrant and energetic woman whose life was suddenly upended by persistent shortness of breath. Joanne’s journey took her through multiple providers who dismissed her symptoms or offered incomplete solutions—labeling her with conditions she didn’t fully understand, and offering treatments that failed to restore her health. Despite undergoing a heart ablation for atrial fibrillation, Joanne remained short of breath and increasingly frustrated, until she found Dr. Alvarez.

It turned out that Joanne had a commonly underdiagnosed condition in women—diastolic heart failure, a form of heart failure where the heart doesn’t relax properly. With the correct diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan, Joanne felt relief within days. Her transformation from being nearly housebound to regaining her quality of life is a testament to the power of listening, advocating, and finding a provider who understands the nuances of women’s heart health.

This episode is a rallying call for women to trust their instincts, seek second opinions, and never settle for “it’s all in your head.” Joanne’s story reminds us that heart disease looks different in women—and that proper care begins with being seen and heard.

Most importantly, it encourages every woman to become the “CEO of her own health” — boldly advocating for her well-being, asking the hard questions, and never giving up until she finds the care she deserves.