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Today I am joined by Chelsea Hayes — a young wife and mother — who experienced a sudden and terrifying medical emergency that completely turned her world upside down. What began unexpectedly soon led to a diagnosis of acute viral lymphocytic myocarditis… a form of viral myocarditis that, even after my own journey with heart failure, I had not yet learned about.

In this conversation, Chelsea shares what it felt like to go from being a healthy and busy mom of two to fighting for her life. She talks about her symptoms at the very beginning of it all and also what it’s like now being young and having a pacemaker.

Stories like Chelsea’s remind us how quickly life can change — and how friends and family can have such a huge impact in our recovery journey.

I’m so grateful she was willing to share her experience, not just for awareness, but for the person listening right now who may be searching for hope, answers, or simply the reassurance that they are not alone.

Let’s get to our conversation.

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DISCLAIMER: The information shared in this podcast is intended for educational, inspirational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. All opinions expressed are my own or those of my guests, based on our personal experiences. Always consult with your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding any questions or concerns you may have about your health or a medical condition.

If you have any questions or comments please feel free to email Hillary at hillary@hillarysheart.com

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Today’s episode is a really special one, because I’m sitting down with a young woman named Allie—who actually found me on Instagram and reached out to share her story. And when I read her message, I was struck by how similar her journey was to mine.

Allie was young, healthy, and had no prior health conditions. But after getting sick, her health declined rapidly. Thankfully, her parents trusted their instincts and got her to the hospital just in the nick of time. That decision truly changed the course of her life.

Unlike my story, Allie didn’t end up needing mechanical support—but she did get very, very sick. And her experience is such an important reminder that viral myocarditis can be caused by so many different viruses, and it doesn’t discriminate. It can affect anyone, even when you least expect it.

I’m so grateful that Allie was willing to come on and share her journey so openly. Her story brings awareness, hope, and a powerful reminder to listen to your body and advocate for your health.

So today, I’m honored to introduce you to Allie, and I can’t wait for you to hear her story.

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DISCLAIMER: The information shared in this podcast is intended for educational, inspirational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. All opinions expressed are my own or those of my guests, based on our personal experiences. Always consult with your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding any questions or concerns you may have about your health or a medical condition.

If you have any questions or comments please feel free to email Hillary at hillary@hillarysheart.com

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Today’s episode is one I’ve been looking forward to for a long time.

I had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Arjun Chagarlamudi, the very first cardiologist who ever took care of me — during the most critical 36 hours of my life at Salem Hospital. I only got to follow-up with him one time after the hospital so I was really excited to get to have this time with him.

Dr. Chagarlamudi was the cardiologist who implanted my Impella CP, performed my pericardiocentesis, and made the life-saving decision to transfer my care to Providence when it became clear my heart needed a higher level of support.

At the time, I didn’t fully understand the gravity of what was happening. Looking back now, I can see just how pivotal the decisions he made were for my care — and how they ultimately changed the course of my life.

In this conversation, we talk not only about my case, but also about Dr. Chagarlamudi’s personal path to medicine and cardiology, along with his professional insights and recommendations for long-term heart health.

I am incredibly grateful for this conversation — and for the role that he will always play in my own story.

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DISCLAIMER: The information shared in this podcast is intended for educational, inspirational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. All opinions expressed are my own or those of my guests, based on our personal experiences. Always consult with your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding any questions or concerns you may have about your health or a medical condition.

If you have any questions or comments please feel free to email Hillary at hillary@hillarysheart.com