Living with Heart Disease

By: Bouba Diemé (Heart Of A Giant) Bouba Dieme Heart of a Giant Somaneh Bouba Dieme
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  • Summary

  • ~ From Somaneh Bouba, aka Heart of a Giant. ~ Is living a longer quality of life after a heart disease diagnosis possible? We are the patients who have resolved to become physically and mentally healthier. From managing symptoms to managing side effects From managing medication to managing finances Share the challenges and the triumphs. Help understand what it means to live with a heart condition. Discover what it means to survive and thrive with a heart condition. This is Living with Heart Disease, a Heart of a Giant production. With host Somaneh Bouba, in conversations with other inspiring voices of the heart health community
    2021-2023 Bouba Diemé (Heart of a Giant)
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Biographies & Memoirs Physical Illness & Disease Hygiene & Healthy Living Social Sciences
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Episodes
  • Taking Control: The Key to Coping with Dr David Bullis, Therapist, Author

    Taking Control: The Key to Coping with Dr David Bullis, Therapist, Author
    Jul 12 2024

    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 over) helps us focus on what we can change and let go of what we can't.

    Making choices is inevitable, and every choice has positive and negative consequences. It's important to make the best choice with the information we have at the moment.

    Preventing future regret involves imagining ourselves at our hundredth birthday and reflecting on what we would be glad we did or wish we did more or less of.

    Releasing emotional energy through physical exercise and relaxation breathing can help achieve balance and stability in coping.

    Coping requires practice, patience, and the use of tools and support from others. Emotional distress is a normal reaction and should not be pathologized.

    Take inventory of what is getting in the way and identify practical solutions.

    Coping with stress does not mean having no stress at all.

    Embrace the uncertainty of life and focus on doing the best with what you have.

    Sound Bites:

    "Control is the core concept."

    "Recognizing that a lot of what we worry about belongs in the box of things we have no control over."

    "Every element of every decision has some element of choice."

    "You can control what you can touch."

    "The emotional exercise is something that I use on a daily basis."

    "If I don't want to regret at my 80th birthday, I gotta come back to my 25th or 30th and really think about then."

    Chapters:

    00:00 Introduction and Background

    10:20 The Three-Part Coping Process

    37:11 Conclusion and Q&A

    49:01 The Importance of Emotional Exercise

    56:16 Using the Book as a Workbook

    01:04:53 Doing the Best with What You Have
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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • Living with Hypertension: Lewis Howe

    Living with Hypertension: Lewis Howe
    Apr 18 2024

    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 health and the impact of his mental well-being on his overall health. Lewis concludes by discussing the perception of lifestyle changes and the positive effects he has experienced. In this conversation, Lewis C. Howe discusses the work of Heart of a Giant and the importance of making small changes for a healthy healthy lifestyle. He emphasizes the need to find a routine and balance and the benefits of preparing favorite foods with healthier ingredients. Lewis also highlights the importance of monitoring blood pressure and provides tips for accurate readings. He encourages individuals not to give up on their health goals and to make choices that show self-love. The conversation concludes with a call to action to join the Heart of a Giant community and care for one's heart.

    Takeaways

    • Managing blood pressure requires making lifestyle changes and being consistent with them.
    • Maintaining good health is important for oneself and the sake of loved ones.
    • Mental and physical health are interconnected, and caring for both is crucial.
    • Small changes in diet and physical activity can significantly improve overall health. Making small changes can lead to a healthy healthy lifestyle.
    • Finding a routine and balance is essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
    • Preparing favorite foods with healthier ingredients allows for enjoyment without sacrificing health.
    • Monitoring blood pressure and recording readings can provide valuable data for managing hypertension.

    Chapters

    00:00Introduction and Background

    02:53Diagnosis and Lifestyle Changes

    05:35Managing Blood Pressure

    09:21Motivation and Long-Term Goals

    13:01Mental Health and Physical Health

    22:09Perception of Lifestyle Changes

    24:36Physical Activity and Optimism

    25:14The Work of Heart of a Giant

    26:28Making Small Changes

    27:20Finding a Routine and Balance

    28:30Preparing Favorite Foods with Healthier Ingredients

    29:46Being Conscious of What You Consume

    30:15Cooking for Yourself

    31:17Taking Small Steps Towards a Healthy Lifestyle

    32:01The Pleasure of Eating Healthy

    33:29Enjoying Healthier Options

    34:26Monitoring Blood Pressure

    35:39Limiting the Damage

    36:19Tips for Monitoring Blood Pressure

    37:25Recording Blood Pressure Readings

    38:27Taking Blood Pressure Readings in a Relaxed State

    39:01Taking Multiple Blood Pressure Readings

    39:28Recording Blood Pressure Readings

    40:26Using Blood Pressure Readings as Data for Doctor Visits

    41:23Not Giving Up on Health Goals

    42:16Loving Yourself and Making Healthy Choices

    43:32Enjoying Life and Making Healthier Choices

    44:39Wrap-Up and Call to Action
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    46 mins
  • Navigating Heart Disease as a Caregiver

    Navigating Heart Disease as a Caregiver
    Mar 13 2024
    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 him up.[00:41:22] Caregiver support and resources.[00:46:00] Navigating challenges of accepting care.[00:52:29] Ubuntu and interdependence.[00:54:00] Podcasters' final words.Detailed SynopsisIn this episode, the hosts delve into relying solely on internet research for medical information and the importance of trusting medical professionals. They share personal anecdotes and stories to emphasize the need for a balanced approach to health education. One host recounts her mother's doctor advising against getting stressed out by "Dr. Google" and going down rabbit holes. The hosts acknowledge the challenges of navigating the vast amount of online information but stress the significance of trusting the expertise of medical professionals and not becoming overwhelmed by excessive research. They highlight the importance of advocating for one's health while recognizing self-diagnosis limitations.The hosts also express their appreciation for caregivers and the crucial role they play in the lives of their loved ones. They validate the feelings of self-doubt and pressure that caregivers often experience despite their exceptional efforts. The hosts understand the immense emotional toll caregiving can take, including feelings of overwhelm, distress, depression, and anxiety. They shed light on the social isolation that caregivers may face due to their responsibilities' time and energy demands, preventing them from engaging in other activities.Furthermore, the hosts emphasize the symbiotic relationship between caregivers and patients, highlighting how the caregiver's skills and emotional investment significantly impact the patient's health outcomes. They stress the critical role that caregiver support plays in ensuring positive outcomes for heart patients.Overall, the hosts validate caregivers' hard work and dedication, recognizing the emotional labor they invest in their role. They emphasize the importance of early understanding and support for caregivers on their caregiving journey.In addition, the hosts discuss the societal pressure placed on caregivers, particularly women, to prioritize the needs of others over their own. They reference an article highlighting caregivers' tendency to self-silence and prioritize others. The hosts stress the significance of caregivers expressing their needs and advocating for themselves. They explain that self-silencing can have detrimental effects on the body, such as autoimmune disorders, and can contribute to feelings of overwhelming distress, depression, and anxiety. The hosts also acknowledge the self-imposed pressure that caregivers often feel to excel in their role and the potential for social isolation due to the demands of caregiving. Ultimately, the hosts emphasize the need for caregivers to prioritize their well-being and seek support when necessary.Quotes00:03:27 - "Often, patients require an advocate or certainly benefit from having an advocate with them as they navigate the healthcare system."00:03:58 - "Sometimes, the caregiver may feel that they're not doing enough."00:09:44 - "I mean, it's essentially a symbiotic relationship, right?"00:11:06 - "I think that it's critical to feel part of a team."00:14:20 - "However, I do find that most of the times people feel extremely, extremely guilty, but that should not be."00:19:26 - "But if they're at the location of the thing that you do daily, it's more likely that the person may, well, will remember, and then it becomes part of that activity or that process."00:23:35 - "Sleep deprivation certainly can negatively impact how a person can provide care for others as well as themselves."00:27:35 - "I just want to tell all the caregivers out there that you know you guys are doing an amazing job."00:29:20 - "No, no, no, you had chest pain when you were walking up, you know, like when we're going up the stairs, like tell them, tell them more."00:33:52 - "Essentially, people get sick from not advocating for what they need."00:36:08 - "And so just, you know, I'll give you one anecdote in terms of where the boundary wasn't the healthiest for the caregiver, and the caregiver could have adjusted it."00:38:10 - "He takes accountability for his health."00:43:59 - "I think it's important, like I know, like you know, people want to preserve their independence kind of, and they don't want to bother people, um, but you know, just like, I guess giving people a heads up would be nice you know in terms of your family members loved ones and hey you know I know if you feel comfortable of course sharing the information often, ...
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    54 mins

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