Support & Resources
Heart healthy—it’s more than just exercise and diet
In a sea of political conversations and emotions, a Facebook friend posted about the loss of her friend after heart surgery. Not someone I know. And I didn’t know all the details. But she was a young woman, a mother of a young child and a friend of my friend. It broke through the election haze, shedding a little light on life and the value of time and how we spend it. It was also a serious reminder about heart health at every age. While in our family we run a risk for breast cancer, we aren’t focused on heart ailments. If I’m being honest, for a long time, heart issues seemed completely removed from my life as a runner and balanced diet eater. It was during a physical at my last job that I realized I was on a dangerous path. I drove a stressful, brutally long drive to and from work, and based my life around the 2 to 3 hours I’d spend each day on the road. My test results were fantastic—except for high blood pressure. Like concerningly high blood pressure. That first day, I thought it was maybe because I’d fasted and had coffee. But for the next couple years, my tests kept coming back with that same high number. I was warned that consistently high blood pressure may not have symptoms for years but can be damaging to my blood vessels and heart, and increase my risk of heart attack and stroke. Silently it was working against me. And of course, according to the statistics, I’m not alone. Did you know… An estimated 44 million women in the U.S. are affected by cardiovascular diseases. Cardiovascular diseases and stroke cause 1 in 3 women’s deaths each year, killing approximately one woman every 80 seconds.90% of women have one or more risk factors for heart disease or stroke. Women have a higher lifetime risk of stroke than men. 80% of heart disease and stroke events may be prevented by lifestyle changes and education. Source: goredforwomen.org I’ve since changed a lot of stress factors in my life—at least the ones I can control—but I’m more aware than ever before just what impact our lifestyles can have. Even if you go to the gym every day, eat perfectly, follow all the guides of healthy living. So as we approach a busy, festive and possibly chaotic holiday season, it’s a good time to remember to take a deep breath, focus on what’s important, know that what can’t be done today can be done tomorrow and just enjoy this time. It’s precious for so many reasons. And your heart is counting on you to take care of it so it can continue taking care of you.
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A sunnier disposition
A recent study on Vitamin D contradicted what’s long been believed: that taking it as a supplement was “a way to improve bone health and possibly ward off the bone-thinning disease osteoporosis in older adults.” While this was big news, reported everywhere as kind of a letdown (it’s nice to thinking popping a pill may protect us from bone fractures and breaks!), it’s key to remember that Vitamin D is still an essential nutrient. In researching women’s health as we age, I became well aware of the serious impact it has on our mood and our hormonal balance (for good and for bad!). So it was a wakeup call for me when my doctor told me that my Vitamin D levels were extremely low at my last appointment. And I’m not alone. Over 94 percent of the U.S. population is deficient in their vitamin D levels. I thought about what was happening. I’m a fair-skinned woman who believed I was doing the best thing to always wear sunscreen and long sleeves in the sun. And then I fell into a trap at work—working through my breaks or lunch hours meant I could get a lot more done and maybe even leave earlier—but my time in the daylight dwindled. My doctor said I could go on supplements to boost my levels, but the best way to get back on track was just to spend 10 minutes in the sun, no sunscreen, letting it sink in, not burn(!). It was also another reminder that there are benefits to taking a break, just a 10-minute walk outside, for mental and physical reasons. I know a daily walk isn’t possible for everyone. I live in Southern California and warm days full of sunshine are plentiful. In wintry weather, maybe it requires a different kind of plan. Sun when you can get it for 10 solid minutes or a regular supplement in drearier times of year? But it’s something that impact us now and into our future. So maybe Vitamin D is not the supplement that makes our bones unbreakable, but getting enough is important to keep us—and our bodies—happy. Start by finding out your levels, and determine how you can get more light in your life and enjoy a sunnier disposition!
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Providing Real Help for Real Stress
I recently quit working full time for the first time in 20 years to focus on life outside of my day job. A big part of that is building heart&core to be a company that my sister and I are proud to represent. Supporting women in need of a better bra, delivering exceptional customer service, helping doctors, nurses and care providers provide the most positive post-surgery experience for patients, and giving back in the spirit of all the support we’ve received over the years. That begins with mentors, experts, family and friends who brought energy, ideas and excitement to conversations about our work, as well as women who’ve shared their stories and helped us better understand many perspectives. It helps us to keep improving and to remember why we’re working so hard. Leaving a steady paycheck and benefits was quite daunting. My husband and I discussed it, and he’s been overwhelmingly supportive, but it comes with more thought around money spent, less impulse buys, an awakening of insurance costs and sometimes that feeling of being a kid who can’t just get what I want when I want it. It’s been adjustment, to say the least. And it feels…stressful. This change got me thinking about the significant changes, discomfort and decisions that a cancer patient faces. Beyond the diagnosis, the treatments and the emotions, many are paying out of pocket expenses and going into debt to pay for their treatment. According to a survey by The Pink Fund, 27% of patients under 40 incurred expenses of $10,000 or more, so it’s no surprise that 46% depleted their savings accounts. And of those who are working during treatment, 20–30% will lose their jobs. With stats like these, I realize how truly financially devastating cancer can be. And how insignificant my financial change really is. This one of the many reasons that we made a commitment to give back to an organization working to help women through this time: The Pink Fund provides financial support to help meet basic needs, decrease stress levels and allow breast cancer patients in active treatment to focus on healing while improving survivorship outcomes. Their 90-day grant program allows us to meet their critical expenses for housing, transportation, utilities and insurance. We’ve committed a portion of profits from the sale of our Comfort Bag to The Pink Fund’s efforts. Designed to add comfort to the hospital stay and recovery afterward, we packed it with all the essentials and a gift certificate for a Larissa Bra. And now through December 31, we’re offering it for just $100 with code PINKFUND. It’s a chance to give a gift (to yourself or others) and give back in the process. And it’s my reminder to count my blessings.
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Why Are We “Going Red”?
February 1st, 2019 Fox 5 San Diego recently reported: According to the AHA, coronary heart disease affects roughly 6.6 million women. Women also suffer strokes more often than men, with 55,000 more women than men having a stroke each year. As women, daughters, sisters, friends, heart disease impacts us all. Knowing the Signs Can Save Your Life “Awareness of heart disease in women and knowing the signs that aren’t always obvious is an important and life-saving message to communicate to the public,” said Dr. Michael Madani, the executive director of surgery at UCSD’s Cardiovascular Institute. Protecting Yourself with Good Habits We know what we’re supposed to do—but it’s up to us to start good habits and end the unhealthy ones. As the Heart Foundation says, “Heart disease is the #1 killer of women, yet it is 80% preventable by making healthy lifestyles choices such as not smoking, exercising and eating right.” The situation calls for everyone to be alert, which is why the American Heart Association designated the first Friday of February as “Go Red For Women Day.” (The Villager) Healing After Heart Surgery When we started this venture of making post-surgical bras, we were focused on breast-related surgeries. Then we got the comments… “My mom had open heart surgery and she loves this bra!”“Very comfortable. Has really helped me post open heart surgery.”“Worked so well after open heart surgery – well worth the price – Highly recommended”“Held breast up so incision does not hurt after open heart surgery.”“Bought this for my future mother in-law after her open heart surgery and it has helped so much with easing her sternum pain.”“Gave me much needed support following VATs surgery… well worth the $$” …and it got us thinking about just how important it is for women to have the right bra after heart surgery. And it makes sense—when you have your sternum cracked or even less invasive surgeries, you’re not going to jump back in your favorite lacy bra. With this knowledge, we continue to listen to feedback to better serve this market, as we work to help women stay healthy to prevent disease and surgery! Going red is about awareness, making changes and making a difference. And that’s why we support this effort—and we support you. Keep talking to us. We’re listening.
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Things We Love in February
February 13th, 2019 In this month bursting with the color red, hearts and candy, we want to celebrate some amazing things we’ve learned and loved. Of course, we’re still on the path to raise awareness about women and heart disease, risks and prevention, so we’re focused on positive stories and special resources around “going red.” Here are our favorites for the month: Free Heart Health Screenings We can’t say it enough—knowing your numbers is crucial. Unchecked high blood pressure can sneak up on the healthiest people, and it’s due to a lot of causes. This month, CVS Health is offering no cost heart health screenings in support of women’s heart health. We encourage you to take advantage of this free resource to check your numbers now so you can manage and change your habits as needed. What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day! Survival Stories With no risk factors for a heart attack, a 47-year-old mother of three saw no red flags before her heart attack in 2018. She did battle long-term heartburn (see above!) but never any chest pain. She’s shared her story with Middletown Press in hopes of letting women know exactly what she experienced—and the hopefulness that comes with knowing and advocating for yourself. Critical Information According to the Cleveland Clinic, only a minority of heart attack patients experience the symptoms we associate with it, like sudden, squeezing, intense chest pain. Prevention magazine echoes similar symptoms, like heartburn-like pain and shortness of breath. It’s scary to think everyday feelings like these can signal something so significant, but noting this information can be a lifesaver. Benefits of Dark Chocolate It’s a real treat when we hear that something sweet and tasty is actually good for us. And dark chocolate is exactly that! According to this Healthline article, “Many controlled studies show that cocoa and dark chocolate can improve blood flow and lower blood pressure, though the effects are usually mild.” So it may not be perfect, but if you get a craving it’s a good go-to—better than the alternatives! Lifesaving Changes The risks associated with smoking are well-documented, but what about the benefits of quitting? Did you know that “Only 20 minutes after quitting, your heart rate and blood pressure will drop closer to normal levels.” Or “About one year after quitting, the risk of getting coronary heart disease is only half as high as smokers.” Check out this LiveWell with UnityPoint Health article for the full scoop on the power of quitting.
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Things We Love in March
Things We Love in March March 18th, 2019 As we approach the first day of spring, it’s a perfect time to look at renewal and hope. We’re always watching for what’s positive in the world, and here are our favorite recent events and findings to remind us that every day there are so many reasons to be thankful: We hear a lot about the challenge and discomfort lymphedema after breast cancer surgery. Even when a patient does everything ‘right,’ they can still develop this condition. However, two recent microsurgical options are presenting a solution to this painful problem. We’re hopeful that more surgeons will consider these options in treatment. Learn more about how some doctors are now treating lymphedema. When faced with chemo, this patient had a little fun with costumes to stay positive and put a smile on other people’s faces. We love her spirit! Read the inspirational story of this survivor and fighter. Out of the the 36th AnnualMiami Breast Cancer Conference® comes positive news: “If there is a theme for this year’s conference, it’s a move away from a one-size-fits all approach to breast cancer in favor of a very targeted one. We are treating breast cancer much more specifically then we ever have,” said Patrick I. Borgen, MD. This includes major developments in diagnostics, new and emerging targeted therapies, immunotherapy, imaging, and surgery, Borgen noted in an interview in advance of the event. And there’s more progress on the breast cancer front: a new drug has been approved in Australia for women with early stage HER2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer. This significant development may reduce risk of recurrence, and we are grateful for the new hope that it gives women battling this type of cancer—and we hope it become accessible for more women around the globe. We wish you a beautiful spring!
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Giving Back to Gilda’s Club
October 5th, 2019 When we think about cancer, it’s about understanding symptoms, hearing the diagnosis or enduring the treatment. But the experience, of course, goes beyond that. There is intense stress on the family as well as emotional stress as a person with the diagnosis feeling like life is on hold. Gilda’s Club provides a unique support system. “No one should face cancer alone. These simple words sum up the Gilda’s Club Twin Cities’ philosophy.” This goes for everyone impacted by cancer—people living with it, as well as their friends, families and even caregivers. Those affected receive social, emotional and psychological support from licensed mental health professionals. This unique and important perspective is why we’re supporting Gilda’s Club with a donation of 5% of purchases on our site during October and learn more about this community of hope. Please join us in supporting this worthy cause.
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The Bonita Bag aka Lasagna
2.0 November 19th, 2019 Where did these names come from, you might ask? Well, I’ll start with Bonita. It was our mom’s official first name, although she went by Bonnie, and we wanted to honor her memory as she was initially a breast cancer survivor, who later had it come back and ultimately passed away from it. But let’s not focus on that—my mom was a fun-loving, caring, kind, woman with a great sense of humor. She was a social worker and had a big heart. Even during her tough times she still liked to laugh and enjoy time with her family and (oh and shop and eat chocolate!). This company started because of her—we wanted to design a better product for women and it developed into our post-surgical bras, with us now focusing on the Larissa Bra (my sister’s nickname from my mom 😊). From there we knew that women were always getting food as a way of people wanting to help, which is great, don’t get me wrong, but you can only handle and freeze so many pans of lasagna! Hence our nickname for the Bonita Bag—Lasagna 2.0. We wanted to put in practical items that women could appreciate during their recovery from surgery so we carefully selected things we felt would be best! Our bag includes- gift certificate for a Larissa Bra water bottle with a bendy straw (so you can use it while laying down!) mini fan that can hook to your phone cute pen (it has a smiley face and a stethoscope so yes, it’s cute!) and journal (great for taking notes at appointments, writing down questions, making lists, and/or doodling when you’re bored and can’t move about as you would like to) and how can I forget the 7 day pill box that allows you to pull out each one individually so you don’t have to lug the whole thing around! It really does make a great gift alternative that friends/family can pitch in for a give as a group that has long term meaning and support to a loved one in need ❤ If you have questions or need more info, please feel free to contact us as we are always happy to help and be a resource as well!
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Easing the Pain of Radiation
February 28th, 2020 A Partner in Radiation RecoveryWe Support Comfort During RadiationEasing the Pain of Radiation Many women going through the radiation process for breast cancer find themselves uncomfortable due to skin feeling sunburned and/or discomfort with scars from surgery. They need a bra that is going to be comfortable that they can wear when working and functioning in everyday life. So when we were approached by Toray, a Japanese company that is an innovator in technology including fabrics, we were excited about a role in helping them develop the HugFit Radiation Bra for women to wear as an everyday bra while going through this process! Its features include: a unique blend of buttery, soft fabric seams on the outside of the bra so as not to irritate sensitive skin pockets for puffs or prosthesis (also on the outside of the bra) the ability to keep creams and oils on the skin without getting onto clothing We’ve learned a lot during the development of this bra and are taking in feedback so we can make it more supportive for larger-chested women, hence the limited range of sizes at this time–currently it’s available in medium, large and extra large. Please bear with us as we work to design a better product to help women be as comfortable as possible during this tough process. Check out the surgical bras we've developed to help ease the pain. We welcome your questions or comments below.
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