Fontan 101: Mental Health

Join me this episode as I speak with Alex about starting a family through surrogacy. She shares about life with CHD, the decision-making process surrounding carrying a pregnancy, and the experience of having two beautiful children with the help of gestational carriers. Whether or not you have though about starting a family or received support from your cardiologist to become pregnant, surrogacy is an important topic to discuss in the CHD community as more patients live into adulthood.  

Join me as I interview Tyler, a fellow heart warrior, about his experience playing sports, receiving a pacemaker, and healing from vocal cord damage. He shares tips and tricks about how his family empowered him to be a competitive athlete and how a doctor in Iowa fixed his life-long vocal cord damage with a new non-invasive technique. 

Join me as I chat with Lorrie about her experience with CHD and receiving a heart transplant. She shares about adapting to life in college with heart failure, undergoing transplant evaluation, recovering from transplant surgery, and living with a new heart. To learn more about Lorrie, follow her here:Instagram: @the_heart_of_the_journey

Join me as I interview my own mother about her experience as a heart mom. She shares about her pregnancy with me, receiving my cardiac diagnosis, and living at the hospital during my surgeries. She also discusses what it was like raising me and gives advice to other heart moms as they navigate childhood and beyond. It was such a privilege interviewing her and I hope you find her story to be encouraging and hopeful.  

Join me as I kick off this season with fellow heart warrior Meagan Houpt and learn about her journey with exercise. From struggling to walk half a mile to completing intense workouts on a daily basis, Meagan shares how small goals can make a huge difference. She refuses to use her cardiac condition as an excuse and encourages cardiologists to have open conversations about the importance of exercise for everyone. To learn more about Meagan and her story, follow her at these accounts:Instagram: @meaganhoupt_hlhsFacebook: My HLHS Story - Meagan Houpt

Did you know that Fontan patients have a  7 fold higher burden of anxiety, depression, and PTSD? In this episode, join me as I discuss mental health in the Fontan population, fostering resilience in the face of chronic illness, and important coping mechanisms for patients and families.To read Dr. Tom Glenn's paper "From Patient to Physician: A Journey of Resilience" click the link below:https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCOUTCOMES.122.008891

Did you know there are many Fontan patients who have safely carried and delivered healthy children? In this episode, join me as I discuss the physiological changes associated with pregnancy, risk and considerations of pregnancy in the Fontan patient, and appropriate birth control options for this patient population.Check out this article for additional information:Pregnancy in Women With a Fontan Circulation, Ropero et. al.https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCOUTCOMES.117.004575

Did you know Fontan patients can have changes in their liver as soon as 5 years after their Fontan surgeries? In this episode, join me as I discuss Fontan Associated Liver Disease (FALD), different methods of liver testing, and current strategies for liver surveillance. 

Did you know that you can increase your venous return and improve your circulation by building lower body strength? In this episode, join me as I discuss the importance of exercise for Fontan patients, the changes that occur in Fontan circulation during physical exertion, and some tips for finding a workout regimen that fits your needs.

Did you know the foods you eat on a regular basis can impact your health and heart down the road? In this episode, join me as I discuss nutritional research, heart health, and ways to prevent disease as individuals living with Fontan circulation continue to age. If you are interested in learning more, I suggest looking into the following websites:https://nutritionfacts.org/https://www.drfuhrman.com/