Hey Heart Buddies! For the last episode of 2024, I bring you one more bonus episode that was the most downloaded episode of 2024. Thank you to my childhood friend, Todd Sykes, for your willingness to tell your story. I love you.

Todd Sykes is a survivor and thriver of endocarditis, a stroke, and a brain aneurysm. At just 37, Todd faced life-threatening conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to two heart surgeries and a remarkable recovery. He shares powerful lessons on the importance of loving well, prioritizing family time, and being prepared with insurance and wills. Todd's story highlights resilience, faith, and the need for physical and emotional strength. Listeners are encouraged to cherish each moment and plan for unforeseen events to protect their loved ones. Todd's journey serves as an inspiring reminder of life's unpredictability and the power of hope.

Join the Newsletter for almost weekly content for this podcast and other heart related news.

Join the Patreon Community! The Joyful Beat zoom group is where you'll find connection and hope that you aren't alone in your journey.

If you just want to support the show as a one-time gift (thank you), go here.

**I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice. Be sure to check in with your care team about all the next right steps for you and your heart.**

Email: Boots@theheartchamberpodcast.com

Instagram: @openheartsurgerywithboots or @boots.knighton

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/boots-knighton

Boots Knighton

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Open Heart Surgery with Boots

Hey Heart Buddies! For the remainder of the year, I am bringing back the most downloaded episodes of the year.

First up is Joel Oliver! His "easy peasy" heart surgery story might surprise you. Joel takes us step by step through his mitral valve replacement journey, revealing moments of doubt, resilience, and unexpected challenges along the way. While Joel's surgery marked a significant event in his life, the real intrigue lies in his post-surgery perspectives. Did this intense experience radically change his outlook on life, or did it simply become another chapter in his adventurous narrative? Whether you're a heart patient, a caregiver, or just curious about human resilience, Joel's insights promise to resonate deeply.

Join the Newsletter for almost weekly content for this podcast and other heart related news.

Join the Patreon Community! The Joyful Beat zoom group is where you'll find connection and hope that you aren't alone in your journey.

If you just want to support the show as a one-time gift (thank you), go here.

**I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice. Be sure to check in with your care team about all the next right steps for you and your heart.**

Email: Boots@theheartchamberpodcast.com

Instagram: @openheartsurgerywithboots or @boots.knighton

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/boots-knighton

Boots Knighton

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Open Heart Surgery with Boots

Hey Heart Buddies! Wow! This week's episode is what I needed when I was facing heart surgery and I know you'll find it super helpful too.

I interview Dr. Laura Suarez Pardo, a psychocardiologist from Mayo Clinic! Together, she and I explore how mental health impacts cardiac health. Dr. Suarez emphasizes the need for support programs for those with chronic heart conditions. The conversation underscores the importance of addressing psychological issues like depression and anxiety to improve cardiovascular outcomes. I share my personal journey with congenital heart disease and how nutritional changes and mental health therapy aided my recovery. The episode highlights self-compassion, the significance of a supportive healthcare team, and the transition to a "survivorship mindset."

More about today's guest:

Laura Suarez Pardo, MD │ Senior Associate Consultant │ Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry -- Psychocardiology│ Assistant Professor of Psychiatry │ Mayo Clinic College of Medicine

Patient Support Networks

♥ AHA: https://supportnetwork.heart.org/s/

♥ AHA Caregiver support: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/caregiver-support

♥ Mended Hearts: https://mendedhearts.org/connect/chapters_groups/

♥ Women Heart: https://www.womenheart.org/find-support/

♥ Congenital Heart Disease MN: https://www.conqueringchd.org/minnesota/

♥ Adult Congenital Heart Association – Heart to Heart Peer Mentors: https://www.achaheart.org/your-heart/programs/heart-to-heart/

Books

♥ Facing Heart Disease: A Guide for Patients and Their Families by Theodore A Stern MD, Scott R Beach MD, James

L Januzzi MD

♥ Anger Kills: Seventeen Strategies for Controlling the Hostility That Can Harm Your Health by Redford Williams

♥ ICD connection: Living with an implantable cardioverter by H. McFarland.

♥ One beat at a time – Living with sudden cardiac death by M.D. Noble, M. D.

♥ Russell Douglas Publishing.

♥ defibrillator. A collection of patient & family stories. Ann Arbor: MPublishing.

♥ Mindfulness for Beginners by Jon Kabat-Zinn.

♥ Full Catastrophe Living by Jon Kabat-Zinn

♥ A Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Workbook by Bob Stahl PhD, Elisha Goldstein PhD, Saki Santorelli EdD MA

♥ Mindfulness Meditation for Pain Relief by Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD

♥ The Happiness Trap: How to Stop Struggling and Start Living Paperback by Russ Harris

♥ Overcoming Depression: A Cognitive Therapy Approach by Mark Gilson and Arthur Freeman

♥ Unwinding Anxiety by Judson Brewer

♥ Mastery your Anxiety and Worry by David H. Barlow and Michelle G. Craske

♥ The Invisible Kingdom: Reimagining Chronic Illness by Meghan O'Rourke

♥ How to Be Sick: A Buddhist-Inspired Guide for the Chronically Ill and Their Caregivers by Toni Bernhard

♥ Minding the Body Workbook by Jason M. Satterfield

♥ Coping with Chronic Illness: A Cognitive-Behavioral Approach for Adherence and Depression by Steven Safren, Jeffrey Gonzalez,, Nafisseh Soroudi

♥ Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself by Dr. Kristin Neff (Author)

Join the Newsletter for almost weekly content for this podcast and other heart related news.

Join the Patreon Community! The Joyful Beat zoom group is where you'll find connection and hope that you aren't alone in your journey.

If you just want to support the show as a one-time gift (thank you), go

Hey Heart Buddies! I welcome back Robyn Peacock for an update on her incredible journey for “Hope for the Holidays." This conversation is packed with Robyn’s reflections on her battles with an aortic aneurysm and bicuspid aortic valve. Learn about her physical triumphs and the often-overlooked mental health challenges that many heart patients face post-treatment. Robyn shares her newfound purpose working with Heart Valve Voice and how she brings hope and support to fellow heart patients. Plus, a special revelation about the rising buzz around mental health at cardiac conferences. Tune in to find out why this episode could be the emotional boost you need this holiday season. Subscribe and join Boots and Robyn as they dive into the importance of community, self-advocacy, and listening to your body’s signals.

You can hear Robyn's original interview here.

Join the Newsletter for almost weekly content for this podcast and other heart related news.

Join the Patreon Community! The Joyful Beat zoom group is where you'll find connection and hope that you aren't alone in your journey.

If you just want to support the show as a one-time gift (thank you), go here.

**I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice. Be sure to check in with your care team about all the next right steps for you and your heart.**

Email: Boots@theheartchamberpodcast.com

Instagram: @openheartsurgerywithboots or @boots.knighton

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/boots-knighton

Boots Knighton

If you enjoyed this episode, take a minute and share it with someone you know who will find value in it as well. You can share directly from this platform or send them to:

Open Heart Surgery with Boots

Mentioned in this episode:

Heart Valve Voice - US

Be sure to check out HHV - US!

HVV-US

Hey Heart Friends. I sit down with previous guest, Jeff Holden, to explore the profound changes heart surgery brings into one's life. Jeff recaps his own battle against myocardial bridging, recounting the gratitude he feels every day. From open-heart surgery to life-altering dreams, Jeff unpacks the layers of his experiences, revealing how overcoming a near-fatal condition has fueled his passion for advocacy and storytelling. Curious about the life-changing dream Jeff had after surgery? Tune in to understand why this dream has become the cornerstone of his new mission and find out how he’s making a difference in the field of cardiology. Plus, discover the significance of a simple bracelet—a daily reminder to appreciate life’s small blessings.

Listen to Jeff's original episode here. You can find his podcast, My Imperfect Heart, anywhere you get your podcasts.

Join the Newsletter for almost weekly content for this podcast and other heart related news.

Join the Patreon Community! The Joyful Beat zoom group is where you'll find connection and hope that you aren't alone in your journey.

If you just want to support the show as a one-time gift (thank you), go here.

**I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice. Be sure to check in with your care team about all the next right steps for you and your heart.**

Email: Boots@theheartchamberpodcast.com

Instagram: @openheartsurgerywithboots or @boots.knighton

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/boots-knighton

Boots Knighton

If you enjoyed this episode, take a minute and share it with someone you know who will find value in it as well. You can share directly from this platform or send them to:

Open Heart Surgery with Boots

Hey Heart Buddies! I am back for part two of Hope for the Holidays with Lisa Mihan who returns to share her incredible progress post-myectomy. Lisa was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy but never gave up. She has transformed from struggling with daily symptoms to thriving on the tennis court and embracing a more vibrant life. This episode isn't just about physical recovery—it's about overcoming mental and emotional hurdles too. Tune in to hear relatable stories of finding hope, building community, and the surprising gifts that come from life's toughest challenges.

You can listen to Lisa's original interview here.

Join the Newsletter for almost weekly content for this podcast and other heart related news.

Join the Patreon Community! The Joyful Beat zoom group is where you'll find connection and hope that you aren't alone in your journey.

If you just want to support the show as a one-time gift (thank you), go here.

**I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice. Be sure to check in with your care team about all the next right steps for you and your heart.**

Email: Boots@theheartchamberpodcast.com

Instagram: @openheartsurgerywithboots or @boots.knighton

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/boots-knighton

Boots Knighton

If you enjoyed this episode, take a minute and share it with someone you know who will find value in it as well. You can share directly from this platform or send them to:

Open Heart Surgery with Boots

Hey Heart Buddies! I'm Boots Knighton, your guide through our special holiday series, "Hope for the Holidays." Today, we're revisiting a truly inspiring story that embodies resilience and hope in its purest form. Our guest is none other than Bill Wingate, a remarkable individual hailing from Birmingham, Alabama. Bill’s journey is a testament to the human spirit, having endured four major open-heart surgeries, seven heart valve replacements, and numerous other procedures over 27 years.

In this episode, Bill opens up about the emotional, mental, and spiritual challenges he faced, especially after his most recent surgery in early 2023. He shares how hope, love, and gratitude have been his guiding lights through the darkest days.

But that’s not all—Bill has a special message for all of us about the power of hope and living life fully, no matter the hand you’ve been dealt. You'll also hear about his exciting new writing project, which aims to inspire others through heartfelt stories.

Listen to his original episode here.

Join the Newsletter for almost weekly content for this podcast and other heart related news.

Join the Patreon Community! The Joyful Beat zoom group is where you'll find connection and hope that you aren't alone in your journey.

If you just want to support the show as a one-time gift (thank you), go here.

**I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice. Be sure to check in with your care team about all the next right steps for you and your heart.**

Email: Boots@theheartchamberpodcast.com

Instagram: @openheartsurgerywithboots or @boots.knighton

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/boots-knighton

Boots Knighton

If you enjoyed this episode, take a minute and share it with someone you know who will find value in it as well. You can share directly from this platform or send them to:

Open Heart Surgery with Boots

Mentioned in this episode:

Heart Valve Voice-US

Check out Heart Valve Voice - US, an incredible resource for heart valve patients in the US and abroad.

HVV-US

Hello Heart Buddies! This is our 5th and final installment of the Empower Your Heart Health Series! Cardiac dietitian, Michelle Routhenstein, comes back for one more powerful episode of how to take control of your heart health through science-based nutrition. She shares inspiring success stories, including a client who dramatically improved her heart function and another who avoided surgery by reducing artery inflammation. TRUE STORY! Michelle emphasizes that dietary choices significantly impact overall heart health, urging listeners to be proactive and empowered in their care.

Next up on the podcast...the next series starts next week! "Hope for the Holidays" revisits a few past guests' stories. I check in with them and hear the latest on how they are THRIVING post heart event.

How to find Michelle

Michelle Routhenstein, MS, RD, CDCES, CDN

Cardiology Dietitian and Preventive Cardiology Nutritionist

Owner of Entirely Nourished, LLC

Sign up for her next Optimize Group at here. This is an affiliate link and by signing up, you support this podcast. Thank you!

About the program: Optimize is a six-week virtual heart optimization group program designed to teach you how to protect your heart through science-based nutrition. In this live program, Michelle Routhenstein, a cardiovascular dietitian, leads Zoom lectures that delve into arterial health and how to enhance your cardiovascular risk profile. She addresses underlying issues like inflammation, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance using evidence-based nutritional strategies. Throughout the six weeks, you'll also have access to a private community for questions, support, and the implementation of science-based heart-healthy changes to safeguard your heart for the long term.

Get in touch...P: (646) 979-0328 E: Michelle@EntirelyNourished.com

http://www.entirelynourished.com

Join the Newsletter for almost weekly content for this podcast and other heart related news.

Join the Patreon Community! The Joyful Beat zoom group is where you'll find connection and hope that you aren't alone in your journey.

If you just want to support the show as a one-time gift (thank you), go here.

**I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice. Be sure to check in with your care team about all the next right steps for you and your heart.**

Email: Boots@theheartchamberpodcast.com

Instagram: @openheartsurgerywithboots or @boots.knighton

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/boots-knighton

Boots Knighton

If you enjoyed this episode, take a minute and share it with someone you know who will find value in it as well. You can share directly from this platform or send them to:

Open Heart Surgery with...