Did you know there are many Fontan patients who have safely carried and delivered healthy children? In this episode, join me as I discuss the physiological changes associated with pregnancy, risk and considerations of pregnancy in the Fontan patient, and appropriate birth control options for this patient population.Check out this article for additional information:Pregnancy in Women With a Fontan Circulation, Ropero et. al.https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCOUTCOMES.117.004575
May 29, 2022
31 min
Did you know Fontan patients can have changes in their liver as soon as 5 years after their Fontan surgeries? In this episode, join me as I discuss Fontan Associated Liver Disease (FALD), different methods of liver testing, and current strategies for liver surveillance.
May 7, 2022
26 min
Did you know that you can increase your venous return and improve your circulation by building lower body strength? In this episode, join me as I discuss the importance of exercise for Fontan patients, the changes that occur in Fontan circulation during physical exertion, and some tips for finding a workout regimen that fits your needs.
Apr 25, 2022
26 min
Did you know the foods you eat on a regular basis can impact your health and heart down the road? In this episode, join me as I discuss nutritional research, heart health, and ways to prevent disease as individuals living with Fontan circulation continue to age. If you are interested in learning more, I suggest looking into the following websites:https://nutritionfacts.org/https://www.drfuhrman.com/
Apr 9, 2022
26 min
Did you know you can increase the effectiveness of your cardiovascular system just by drinking more fluid? In this episode, join me as I discuss the mechanics of Fontan circulation and why staying hydrated can make all the difference.
Mar 26, 2022
16 min
Over 1 million children and 1.5 million adults are living with CHD in the US. In this episode, join me and I discuss annual cardiology appointments, cardiac imaging, blood work, and medications prescribed to keep individuals with CHD as healthy as possible. If you are an adult living with CHD who needs a cardiologist, check out this link to find adult CHD centers across the US:https://www.achaheart.org/your-heart/resources/clinic-directory/
Mar 12, 2022
21 min
Over the past several decades, there have been incredible advances in how we approach and treat CHD. In this episode, join me as I talk about various cardiac interventions, the Fontan procedure, and new treatments options under investigation.
Mar 6, 2022
19 min
With so many advances in imaging, we are able to detect many cases of CHD before birth. In this episode, join me as I explore fetal cardiac development, ways to diagnose CHD, and limitations in our approach to prenatal detection.
Feb 27, 2022
20 min
Nearly 1% of babies are born with CHD each year in the US. In this episode, join me as I discuss typical heart anatomy, some of the most common congenital heart defects, and why it is so important for heart warriors to know about their heart condition.
Feb 20, 2022
20 min
Every person with congenital heart disease has their own, unique story! To kick off this Fontan with a Future podcast, I'm sharing my story about growing up with CHD, learning to listen to my body through dance, and eventually being accepted to medical school.
Feb 12, 2022
19 min