I never had a burning desire to be a mother... I always thought I would probably have children, but only really thought about that in theory. In fact, a lot of things about motherhood scared me, th

Annika, Sofia, Bjorn… from the age of 5, I was planning my future. My plan included the names of my children, which were most often cute Swedish names, how many children I’d have, and the fact that I was going to be a midwife or doctor.  Inspired by Anne, the midwife who had helpe

Know the signs of depression. If you have heart disease, you have a higher risk of becoming depressed than someone without heart disease. Research shows that half of people with heart disease experience depression. Similarly, depression is a risk factor for heart disease.   The link between d

Beta-blockers prevent death in heart attack survivors. But like any other medication, there may be side effects. Learn more about beta-blocker treatment. The days and weeks following a heart attack bring relief and new challenges for survivors. Along with starting fresh habits like healthy eati

Find out if aspirin is right for you for prevention of heart attack or certain types of stroke. You may have heard that an aspirin taken every day can help lower the risk of heart attack and some types of stroke. Aspirin is inexpensive and available almost anywhere. It is sometimes called baby asp

Managing your condition for life. Whether you have been recently diagnosed with heart failure or have lived with it for years, you may have questions. What can I do to help reduce my symptoms? How should I take my medication? How can I work with my doctor? Wherever you are on your journey, taking

A number of tests can confirm the diagnosis or determine if you’re at risk. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease and is the number one cause of death for both men and women in the U.S.   With CAD, the arteries that carry oxygen-rich blood to the heart m

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. That’s true for both men and women. It accounts for one of every four deaths. The most common kind of heart disease is coronary heart disease. Lifestyle changes, medications and certain procedures can help manage this condition

If you’re planning a C-section, here are some tips to help you feel more involved. Some moms-to-be know in advance they will be having a cesarean birth, or C-section. This is the surgical delivery of a baby. Others face the surprise of an emergency C-section. Today, over 30 percent of American

Want to eat healthier, but concerned about the high cost? Get the lowdown on shopping smarter. Your grocery budget doesn’t have to stand between you and your health. Here are some shopping tips: Write it out Make a grocery list before hitting the store. Once there, stick to your list! You&rs

Get accurate information about polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) - including symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options... What is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)? Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition characterized by an imbalance of hormones, which can cause p

Coming up with meals everyday can be mentally taxing for parents.  Out this tip as a times saver – cook up a bunch of food and then spread it throughout the week. 1. Buy a large packet of chicken breast or chicken thighs, usually there’s 12-14 breasts/thighs, you can also use tofu/paneer as well.  I

Caitlyn, Registered Nurse BSN As a nurse, I thought I was prepared to officially become a mom with my first child. Little did I know, my water would break as my baby was growing inside of me. I was 24 weeks pregnant and it was classified as a premature rupture of membranes. In other words, my wate

You’re expecting a new baby! Everyone is excited, and you can’t wait to bring the little bundle of joy home. But some women felt nervous, anxious or even scared when they get the baby home.  I remember not wanting to leave the hospital because I was afraid I wouldn’t put my s

Is eating healthy one of your priorities for 2020? Here are some tips on healthy snacking.

Being physically active has tremendous health benefits for pregnant women. Exercising may help. Learn more here.

Gestational diabetes affects close to 6 percent of pregnant women. It can usually be controlled by smart eating and regular exercise. Learn about the condition and how you can keep you and your baby healthy.

Being physically active has tremendous health benefits for pregnant women. Exercising may help. Learn more here.

Our journey to have a baby started in 2012. It began nonchalantly: we decided that we were ready to bring a child into the world and support them with all the love that we could muster. So we excitedly stopped the birth control pills and started talking about baby names and cute outfits. After a yea

Moving Forward Together Listen to the Optum Employee Assistance Program’s podcast to help cope with the stress and anxiety of returning to the workplace. “Many of us are emotionally and physically fatigued… and then we go back to work.”    - Dr. Monika Roots