The Blog
Many people have heard the phrase âbroken heart.â
But what many donât realize is that intense emotional or physical stress can sometimes cause real, sudden heart problems.
There is a condition called Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, often referred to as stress-induced cardiomyopathy or broken heart syndr...
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States.
However, it may be surprising to learn that, particularly in women, heart disease does not always look the way the public has been taught to expect.
â It doesn't always begin with dramatic chest pain.
â It doesn't always ...
Have you ever left a medical appointment feeling unsettledâunsure of the decision that was made, unclear about next steps, or wondering if you asked the right questions? You are not alone.
This scenario happens to people who are intelligent, capable, proactive every single day. It even happened to...
The holidays can be magicalâtwinkling lights, family recipes, hugs from people you haven't seen all year. But for many women navigating cancer, they can also bring something less pleasant: unsolicited advice, uninvited opinions, and those "Well, if you just tried ____..." conversations that make yo...
This week, I wrap up my series on navigating today's healthcare options by looking at one of the most talked-about (and often misunderstood) models: Concierge Medical Care.
If you have ever wondered what concierge care actually is, how it works, and whether it makes sense for your health needs, thi...
After completing six cycles of chemotherapy and three cycles of monoclonal antibody therapy for the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer, I was faced with the next phase of treatment, which was surgery. The post-treatment MRI showed resolution of the masses that had been seen initially.Â
Early...
The TyrerâCuzick risk assessment model, also known as the IBIS model, is a calculator that estimates a womanâs risk of developing breast cancer over 10 years and across her lifetime. It is based on a wide range of personal and family factors.
Understanding your individual risk is a crucial step tow...
If youâre a woman in your 40s or 50s, chances are youâve found yourself squeezed in the middle. You're raising children and probably also caring for aging parents or other elderly relatives. Youâre part of whatâs known as the sandwich generation â a group navigating an intense phase of life filled w...
Functional and Integrative medicine have gained significant popularity in recent years. The promise of treating the "root cause" of disease, personalizing care, and seeing the whole person rather than just a diagnosis is powerful â and I agree that these are valuable principles. However, there's ano...
In an earlier post, I wrote about the one question to ask your doctor that can change your healthcare experience. But what if you don't feel heard, or you're symptoms are constantly being dismissed? What if engaging with the healthcare system makes you feel like you're continually going to battle? W...
As a marathon runner, I have learned to apply the lessons from running to life. By the time I get to mile 18 and 23 in a race, I usually catch myself filled with self-doubt, like, whose idea was it to run this race again? Why am I doing this? Every fiber of my body is saying quit NOW!Â
And then I h...
Have you ever had lab work or imaging done and then waited to hear back from your doctor?
And when no one called, you thoughtââWell, no news is good news, right?â
Unfortunately, that assumption can be risky. In today's fast-paced medical system, not hearing back doesnât always mean everything is f...
