Finding a Comfortable Bra After Chest Surgery

“I had open-heart surgery and now can’t find a comfortable bra that will provide sufficient support to my chest to relieve the pain in my sternum. Any suggestions?” Finding a bra to fit comfortably after surgery can be a real challenge – even years later.  Scar tissue is sensitive.  Muscles cut during surgery don’t support…

Are You Just A Hysterical Female? The Emotional Toll of Atrial Fibrillation

Fear is common for heart disease survivors, but for women diagnosed with atrial fibrillation the fear can be overwhelming. “You are scared, your family is scared, and you just don’t know if something else is going to happen,” explains Mellanie True Hills, founder of the American Foundation for Women’s Health and the atrial fibrillation patient…

Exploring Other Options: Catheter and Surgical Ablation

Medication cannot cure atrial fibrillation. For those looking for a cure, Mellanie True Hills, Founder of the American Foundation for Women’s Health and the patient’s resource StopAfib.org, suggest discussing the following options with your doctor. (Information courtesy of StopAfib.org) Catheter Ablation is done by an electrophysiologist (a cardiologist specializing in heart rhythms) in the electrophysiology…

Exporing the “Icky Period” Problem

When a younger woman is put on a blood thinner the doctor or nurse isn’t likely to tell her, “Guess what, this is probably going to make your period a bit of a challenge.  It came as a big surprise to me,” said Eliz Greene who is 42 and currently takes Plavix®.  “Talking about the…

Goodbye, Blood Draw!

When she was diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation and placed on the blood thinning medication warfarin, Patty Borkowski began regular trips to the Anticoagulation Clinic at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She didn’t realize her experience was different from that of other women on blood thinners. A consistent and controlled blood thinner level is essential for…