Coping with Heart Failure at a Young Age

Hello ✋ I was very very very lucky and got diagnosed at the age of 10- 20 years ago.! Was always funny in the beginning, I didn't feel sick and would be up and walking around the hospital while the other sick kids were tubed up in bed 😁 My advice/what's worked for me in the past 20 years- -You will feel fragile but don't let it stop you from living your life. -get a cardiologist that you can build a relationship with and is open to hearing what works for you! (Example- my first adult cardiologist was an older man, very traditional and didn't want me playing sports, he was very very conservative. He was strict so I (stupidly) rebelled. Whereas now I have a younger cardiologist who understands I want to move and be active. He is up to date on new literature and even gave me the go ahead to do a bodybuilding comp! We worked together to be able to reach the goal). -don't use your condition as an excuse not to live your life ❤️ -use the condition to your advantage 😉 don't want to go on a certain trip? Sorry heart condition. Don't want to do *insert any activity*? sorry heart condition. I understand this is contradictory but hey it's a good tool 😆 -be smart! Take your meds, get activity in, eat sensibly- follow the regular healthy lifestyle principles. -and again DONT BE SCARED TO LIVE LIFE 😍

I'm 33 and it's so staggering to be in heart failure. I don't feel like my friends understand just how intense and serious this is. They don't understand how my energy level has plummeted and how I'm not up for much of anything these days

Honestly just doing things at your own pace and maintaining a basic healthy lifestyle helps. Drink water, trying different exercises depending on your energy levels for the day, and eating what’s good for you. Also, from my experience of being young with a chronic heart condition, my peers don’t understand what it’s like and how it feels. It can be difficult, but finding other people who understand what your going through helps.

I feel I'm young I'm in my 60's, so I guess what ever your age is just don't lay down, (my metaphor) stay active.