Living with Heart Disease

Summary  In this conversation, Bouba, known as the Heart of a Giant, brieflly shares his journey living with a congenital heart defect. He talks about his experiences with heart disease and how he started a nonprofit organization. This organization aims to raise awareness and provide education about heart health. Bouba stresses the importance of community support, personal legacy, and how health e...

Takeaways:  Coping is an active process that requires setting goals and taking control over the choices we face. Balance is crucial in coping, and it involves managing stress coming into our lives and releasing it through physical exercise and relaxation breathing. Sorting worries into three boxes (things we have control over, things we will have control over later, and things we have no control o...

Lewis Howe shares his journey towards optimal health and wellness, specifically focusing on living with hypertension. He discusses his diagnosis, the lifestyle changes he has made, and the importance of managing blood pressure. Lewis emphasizes the motivation to maintain good health for his children and future grandchildren. He also highlights the connection between mental health and physical heal...

Timestamps [00:02:41] Challenges caregivers face. [00:08:25] The role of caregivers. [00:10:56] Supporting caregivers' critical role. [00:15:32] Medication adherence and tips. [00:19:05] Timing of medication administration. [00:24:23] Grounding techniques for self-care. [00:29:20] Becoming an educated caregiver. [00:33:37] Effects of self-silencing on caregivers. [00:37:51] A cancer scare wakes hi...

Jodie Hall's story emphasizes the importance of putting oneself first and seeking support when facing health challenges. Her experience with congestive heart failure at a young age sheds light on the significance of early diagnosis and proper medical care. At 19, Jodie discovered that she had congestive heart failure. Despite this diagnosis, she continued with her daily life, not fully understandi...

Meet Somaneh Bouba, a heart transplant recipient who has overcome tremendous challenges in his 6-year long heart transplant journey. As a dedicated husband, father, senior corporate manager and social entrepreneur, Somaneh has navigated his way through the complex world of heart transplantation with grace and resilience. His personal experiences have given him unique insights and perspectives on t...

Ep 13: Battle of Heart Disease: Overcoming Obstacles with Armin Muzafirovic Against all odds, Armin refused to let his diagnosis define him. But a ski trip to Colorado brought an unexpected twist, changing everything he thought he knew about his condition. What happened next was an ongoing battle, and Armin's incredible resilience kept him fighting every step of the way. “In life, not everything i...

Bouba chats with Olivia Rose to talk about her heart disease journey.   After suffering two strokes and heart disease, Olivia Rose, an elite athlete, courageously fights for her life and embarks on an inspiring journey of self-discovery and resilience to defy the odds.   Olivia Rose is a thriving survivor, heart transplant recipient, and former LVAD patient living with heart disease. In addition,...

"If it wasn't for Ivy, I probably wouldn't be where I am. So I thank God for her. It wasn't easy. " - George Boakye-Yiadom Bouba talks with George about the ups and downs of living with a heart condition.  George Boakye-Yiadom is a mental health coach, fashion designer, and technology consultant. He is the founder the Boak Group LLC and works at of Fathers Uplift. He is married with three children...

John Sanson was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy in 2016. After undergoing an LVAD and a transplant, he lives in Houston, Texas, with his wife, two dogs, and a cat. John works in the coffee industry, does photography, and is currently working on a documentary series about coffee. He is now facing $50,000 worth of medical debt due to the high cost of doctor visits but is thankful to have a job...

Anyone facing a heart journey knows how much a support system makes life easier. The core of our support system is often our spouses and life partners. Our talk today is about the better half of Heart of a Giant. Welcome to Living with Heart Disease. Listen to the patients, support systems, and care providers who have resolved to become healthier. Join host Somaneh Bouba as we share challenges and...

People feel inspired when you talk about the topics you care about with passion. More so, people feel moved to take action when they see your dedication. Advocacy can show the tangible changes that your efforts make, and start a ripple effect of positive action. Our talk today is about leading heart health advocacy. Welcome to Living with Heart Disease. Listen to the patients, support systems, and...

We are more than just heart failure. We have heart failure, but it is not a limit on who we are as people. We are multitalented and dimensional. Without a doubt, we should enjoy our lives. Our talk today is about living with humor and giving life your all. Welcome to Living with Heart Disease. Listen to the patients, support systems, and care providers who have resolved to become healthier. Join h...

Sharing your story and building a community along the way is impactful. Your journey can be filled with excitement, empathy, resilience, and joy. Every time you make a new connection, you’ll realize that you never know who your story will resonate with. Our talk today is about finding the courage and passion to live with heart failure. Welcome to Living with Heart Disease. Listen to the patients,...

Heart disease can change our physical health, but how often do we address the impact heart disease has on our identity? Part of our heart health journey is about rebuilding. We change our view of our identity and the role we play in the lives of our loved ones. Our talk today features stories about managing the physical and mental challenges of heart disease. Welcome to Living with Heart Disease,...

Some people light up an entire room with their presence. They are the ones who bring love and laughter wherever they go. One interaction with them is unforgettable. People who make the most of life inspire everyone else to do the same. Our talk today celebrates the contagiously energetic life of Evelyn Charrisse McRae. Welcome to Living with Heart Disease, a Heart of a Giant production. Is it poss...

Doesn’t it feel great to speak with someone who understands you? It’s common for people to connect with someone who has a similar lived experience. Through advocacy, people can connect; and educate each other. Most importantly, they can empathize with one another. Our talk today creates an open dialogue for patient education and research in the heart condition community. Welcome to Living with Hea...

Instinct is often the best guidance we can have. For an invisible disease, the patient has the most significant insight into what’s going on with their body. Learning to trust those hints can be lifesaving in times where professional counsel and the patient’s instinct don’t match up. Our talk today focuses on not being afraid to trust your voice in leading your heart failure journey. Welcome to Li...

Receiving a heart disease diagnosis throws you into a winding journey of information. Suddenly there’s a lot to catch up on, and while this can seem daunting at first, you start to find a rhythm as you learn. Our talk today focuses on what is helpful to know earlier in the journey so you can ease into a rhythm of your own more quickly. Welcome to Living with Heart Disease, a Heart of a Giant produ...