The podcast I Am You is hosted by Dr. Nitza Alvarez, a board-certified cardiologist and bestselling author. This empowering series shares real stories that inspire women to advocate for their health and become the CEO of their own well-being.

In this episode, Dr. Alvarez speaks with Deb Gossell, a retired speech therapist and lifelong caregiver, who shares her personal journey of navigating unexplained fainting spells, initially dismissed as side effects from pain medication and alcohol. Despite living with atrial fibrillation and managing chronic pain, Deb knew something wasn’t right when she began suddenly passing out without warning—sometimes while simply standing up. Her persistence in seeking answers ultimately led to a diagnosis of dangerous heart pauses, captured through an implantable cardiac loop recorder. The result: urgent placement of a life-saving pacemaker.

Deb’s story is a powerful reminder of how easy it is for symptoms to be overlooked or misattributed, even by loved ones. She emphasizes the importance of listening to your body, questioning assumptions, and pushing for answers when something feels off. Deb also reflects on her years of advocating for others and the vital shift in learning to advocate for herself.

This episode reinforces a vital message: when it comes to your health, don’t minimize your concerns. Keep asking questions. Keep showing up. And never stop fighting for yourself.

The podcast I Am You is hosted by Dr. Nitza Alvarez, a board-certified cardiologist and bestselling author. The episode aims to empower women to take charge of their health and advocate for themselves within the healthcare system. In this episode, Dr. Alvarez interviews Kimberly Bradford, who shares her proactive approach to heart health after a strong family history of heart disease. Despite feeling healthy and symptom-free, Kimberly sought early cardiac care at age 50, motivated by her father and grandfather’s heart conditions. Initial tests revealed early signs of coronary artery disease, leading her to adopt lifestyle changes and medical interventions. However, a follow-up CT angiogram five years later showed severe blockages, prompting urgent treatment and a stent placement.

Kimberly reflects on the importance of early detection, self-advocacy, and proactive healthcare decisions, emphasizing that heart disease doesn’t always present with symptoms. She highlights how her decision to prioritize regular screenings and challenge assumptions about her health ultimately saved her life.

The podcast seeks to inspire women to become the "CEO of their own health" by sharing real-life stories demonstrating the power of persistence and self-advocacy in overcoming barriers in the healthcare system. It encourages listeners to trust their instincts, speak up about their health concerns, and seek providers who respect and advocate for their well-being.

The podcast I Am You is hosted by Dr. Nitza Alvarez, a board-certified cardiologist and bestselling author. The episode aims to empower women to take charge of their health and advocate for themselves within the healthcare system. In this episode, Dr. Alvarez interviews Melissa Moore, who shares her experience of unknowingly living with heart disease for years after being misdiagnosed with allergies and anemia. Despite experiencing persistent shortness of breath, she never suspected a heart condition due to a lack of family history and misconceptions about heart disease affecting only older individuals.

Melissa reflects on how her demanding lifestyle and focus on work and caregiving caused her to deprioritize her health, a mistake many women make. She emphasizes the importance of early detection, regular check-ups, and advocating for one’s own health, especially for women in midlife.

The podcast seeks to inspire women to become the "CEO of their own health" by sharing real-life stories demonstrating the power of persistence and self-advocacy in overcoming barriers in the healthcare system. It encourages listeners to trust their instincts, speak up about their health concerns, and seek providers who respect and advocate for their well-being.

The podcast I Am You is hosted by Dr. Nitza Alvarez, a board-certified cardiologist and bestselling author. The episode aims to empower women to take charge of their health and advocate for themselves within the healthcare system. In this episode, Dr. Alvarez interviews Valerie Walton who shares her journey of discovering her heart condition despite initially believing she had no issues due to a previous clear heart catheterization. Her primary care doctor urged her to see a cardiologist due to her family history, but she hesitated until test results revealed severe heart disease, leading to the need for immediate surgery.

Valerie reflects on how subtle symptoms, like fatigue and shoulder pain, were easy to dismiss, emphasizing the importance of not ignoring warning signs. She encourages women to advocate for their health, get checked even if they feel fine, and not fear appearing foolish when seeking medical attention.

The podcast seeks to inspire women to become the "CEO of their own health" by sharing real-life stories demonstrating the power of persistence and self-advocacy in overcoming barriers in the healthcare system. It encourages listeners to trust their instincts, speak up about their health concerns, and seek providers who respect and advocate for their well-being.

The podcast I Am You is hosted by Dr. Nitza Alvarez, a board-certified cardiologist and bestselling author. The episode aims to empower women to take charge of their health and advocate for themselves within the healthcare system. In this episode, Dr. Alvarez interviews Mary Ann Salerno who explores her journey through the healthcare system, highlighting the importance of self-advocacy in women’s heart health.

Mary Ann was Initially diagnosed with asthma and respiratory issues, but her persistent shortness of breath led to further testing, revealing severe heart blockages that required immediate intervention. She shares how her upbringing taught her to trust doctors without question but ultimately realized the need to speak up when something felt wrong.

The podcast seeks to inspire women to become the "CEO of their own health" by sharing real-life stories demonstrating the power of persistence and self-advocacy in overcoming barriers in the healthcare system. It encourages listeners to trust their instincts, speak up about their health concerns, and seek providers who respect and advocate for their well-being.

The podcast I Am You is hosted by Dr. Nitza Alvarez, a board-certified cardiologist and bestselling author. The episode aims to empower women to take charge of their health and advocate for themselves within the healthcare system. In this episode, Dr. Alvarez interviews MaryAnn Brock, who shares her journey with cardiac health.

MaryAnn describes experiencing persistent burning chest pain, initially misdiagnosed as acid reflux, despite ongoing treatment. Over time, she realized the importance of self-advocacy in healthcare, especially for women, who often downplay symptoms or face dismissal.

The podcast seeks to inspire women to become the "CEO of their own health" by sharing real-life stories demonstrating the power of persistence and self-advocacy in overcoming barriers in the healthcare system. It encourages listeners to trust their instincts, speak up about their health concerns, and seek providers who respect and advocate for their well-being.

The podcast I Am You is hosted by Dr. Nitza Alvarez, a board-certified cardiologist and bestselling author. The episode aims to empower women to take charge of their health and advocate for themselves within the healthcare system. In this episode, Dr. Alvarez interviews Deb Williams about the critical importance of self-advocacy in healthcare.

Deb shares her experiences of being dismissed by doctors, in which she had to seek alternative care to receive proper treatment. She also recounts her heart attack at age 46, where medical professionals initially dismissed her symptoms due to her age and appearance, highlighting the gender biases in cardiovascular care.

The podcast seeks to inspire women to become the "CEO of their own health" by sharing real-life stories demonstrating the power of persistence and self-advocacy in overcoming barriers in the healthcare system. It encourages listeners to trust their instincts, speak up about their health concerns, and seek providers who respect and advocate for their well-being.

The podcast I Am You is hosted by Dr. Nitza Alvarez, a board-certified cardiologist and bestselling author. The episode aims to empower women to take charge of their health and advocate for themselves within the healthcare system. In this episode, Dr. Alvarez interviews Karin McNeil, a woman diagnosed with heart disease at 40 after initially mistaking her symptoms for the flu.

Karin shares her struggles with misdiagnoses, inadequate medical care, and the need to advocate for herself to receive life-saving treatment, including heart surgery and a defibrillator. Her story highlights the importance of proactive heart health management, seeking second opinions, and ensuring women’s heart conditions are taken seriously in the healthcare system.

The podcast seeks to inspire women to become the "CEO of their own health" by sharing real-life stories demonstrating the power of persistence and self-advocacy in overcoming barriers in the healthcare system. It encourages listeners to trust their instincts, speak up about their health concerns, and seek providers who respect and advocate for their well-being.