In the past weeks, we have witnessed the tragic murders of innocent people in Atlanta, most of whom were Asian women. Sadly, this attack comes amidst an increase in hate crimes against Asian Americans over the past year. Combined with the extreme challenges of the...
The prevalence of heart valve disease is rising. Yet, women – and especially women of color – are more likely than men to go undiagnosed, and therefore have lower rates of referral, specialist visits and treatment. In 2020, WomenHeart engaged Dr. Rachel Bond and NHA...
As we head into a season of thanks, WomenHeart would like to express appreciation to our amazing volunteers. This has been a trying year for most, but through it all WomenHeart Champions have continued to support our mission to improve the health and quality of life...
With the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, I wanted to use her words to narrate my own journey to WomenHeart as well as our collective experiences over the last several months. My mother told me to be a lady. And for her, that meant – Be your own person. Be...
Our country is in a pandemic and it’s causing fear. Are you afraid to go to the hospital? Don’t be - especially if you are experiencing heart attack symptoms. I survived a heart attack in 2018. Despite having all the warning signs, I made excuses for them because I...
Wouldn’t it be great if we could bottle optimism, as Vitamin O, and resilience, as Vitamin R, for daily doses? Whether you are recovering from a heart incident, COVID-19, or just trying to stay healthy during this pandemic, optimism and resilience are needed in...
When heart failure struck, I was dumbfounded. I never felt any pain. I was the picture of health. My father and uncle both died of heart failure, but we always attributed it to excess weight, smoking, and alcohol – none of which were part of my life. But then I...
COVID-19 will go down as many things in the history books. I watch the case numbers climb and the stock market numbers dive. But for me, it has been a great equalizer. Since my heart failure diagnosis, I have been the one staying home, slowing down, appreciating life....
It was a brisk morning in February at The Oculus, the imposing white structure that truly looks risen from the ashes of the World Trade Center site. After taking in a silent breath to pay my respects, I entered and immediately identified the energized gathering in the...
[youtube video_id="uB1lRJuUeNQ" caption="darlene's WomenHeart PSA"] I am a six-time marathoner who was diagnosed with advanced heart failure while training for a race that should have been my seventh. I was a whole/healthy foods vegan at the time of my diagnosis, I...
It has been well established that female patients with aortic stenosis – a type of heart valve disease – present at typically older ages. When considering the standard treatment option of surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR), older age is an important factor...
As soon as I landed, after a brief hold at 35,000 feet for a thunderstorm to pass, I went straight to meet with the team at Muriel I. Kauffman Women’s Heart Center, a founding member of the WomenHeart National Hospital Alliance (NHA). As we ate a lovely heart-healthy...
