The connection between maternal health and heart disease is intensely personal to me. More than 22 years ago, my first son was born nine weeks early and extremely small (less than two pounds) due to a rare complication called HELLP syndrome (similar to an extreme form of pre-eclampsia). And then, when he was 10, I […]
19
Feb 2024
To kick off February as American Heart Month, five Twin Cities women are joining the American Heart Association to fight their number one health threat, cardiovascular disease (CVD) through the Woman of Impact initiative. Woman of Impact is an extension of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women® movement, a comprehensive platform designed two decades ago […]
30
May 2014
Did you know that high blood pressure during pregnancy is very highly correlated with heart disease later in life? I didn’t either, until after my heart attack. Not sure the ER doctors or possibly even the cardiologist I first saw that day were aware of this critical risk factor. When I was pregnant with my […]
15
Jul 2013
I met Maria at the first Go Red for Women event that I spoke at, last November. She came right up to me and said she’d been reading my blog and wanted to meet me. (Fellow bloggers know how thrilling that is!) We talked for a while and she asked about my kids and how […]
24
Jun 2013
Last week the American Heart Association-Minnesota held a volunteer appreciation event — an after-work happy hour in a pretty hotel lobby bar. I went because I’m a volunteer and because they gave me a Volunteer Impact Award for my work this year as Go Red spokesperson, ambassador, speaker, and even for this blog. It was […]
07
Feb 2013
Earlier this week, my son informed me that I’m famous. But then he thought a minute and asked “did you want to be famous?” I said no, not for having a heart attack, but I want to talk about it so other people know more about heart disease. That made sense to him. So here I […]
03
Feb 2013
Girl Power
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The first time I saw this video, I wasn’t sure I liked it. So dark, moody, gritty. Is that really the right message to be sending? But then I really, really liked it, and the reason surprised me. I liked it because it’s angry. Because this isn’t right, and isn’t fair, and shouldn’t happen to […]
27
Jan 2013
This year marks 10 years of Wear Red Day and Go Red for Women! This American Heart Association-Minnesota video shows how far we have come in the fight against heart disease. And how far we have to go.
26
Jan 2013
I’m in a PSA
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Last week I recorded this public service announcement with Twin Cities Fox 9 morning anchor Alix Kendall. (And while I’m getting more comfortable with the camera, I still have a ways to go!) This will air on open commercial slots on Fox 9 and my29, which means probably late at night and early morning. Best […]
10
Jan 2013
A few weeks ago Scott and I were interviewed for a Go Red for Women video, to be used at a fundraising event later this month. Here’s the trailer. (I’m not in it; this is to maintain the mystery, I’m told.) I won’t see the full video until I’m sitting right in the audience with […]
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