Open Heart Surgery with Boots

Boots Knighton•www.theheartchamberpodcast.com

Giving voice and providing hope to heart patients around the world. Let's complete the healing picture and so you can thrive post heart surgery. **This podcast is taking a temporary hiatus while I tend to my own health.** Hi, my name is Boots Knighton, and I am an open-heart surgery patient in Victor, Idaho. Diagnosed with three different congenital heart defects at 42 years old, my life changed in an instant. In 2023, I launched this podcast because it was what I needed when I was facing heart surgery. I interview hearts of all kinds and as well as health care providers. You are the CEOs of your own health, and this podcast will teach how to advocate for your heart so you can live your best life.

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Episodes

Physical and mental health therapy for open-heart surgery

#5 Boots Knighton interviews her cardiac physical therapist, Cassie Fuller. In this impactful conversation, Boots and Cassie talk about the importance of listening to the body's clues it gives when healing post open-heart surgery. They also talk about the importance of vulnerability and asking for help. Boots feels this episode is particularly important for heart patients to listen to because Cassie coaches the listener on how to find the right practitioners in your area and what to do if it isn...

Feb 14, 2023•44 min•Season 1Ep. 5

From Chest Pain to Myocardial Bridge Diagnosis and Surgery at Stanford

From Chest Pain to Myocardial Bridge Diagnosis and Surgery at Stanford, Jeff Holden recounts a life-changing episode that shifted his perspective on health, empathy, and purpose. An avid cyclist, Jeff was blindsided by a severe medical emergency that defied his otherwise stellar physical condition. This episode dives into the mystery of his heart condition, the surreal experiences during his recovery, and the transformative moments that followed. Plus, discover how Jeff's journey led him to laun...

Feb 07, 2023•47 min•Season 1Ep. 4

Optimizing open-heart surgery through nutrition

#3 Boots Knighton interviews her nutritionist, Georgie McNiff, about how Georgie came into her life at the right time. They talk about how to combat water retention and shedding excess estrogen and dream about starting a movement to get the medical community to better prepare heart patients for open-heart surgery. 0:00Intro 1:25 How I found Nurse Georgie 3:41 Nurse Georgie's qualifications 4:31 My main issues that took me to Nurse Georgie 6:12 Nurse Georgie's route to functional medicine and the...

Jan 31, 2023•37 min•Season 1Ep. 3

Host, Boots Knighton's, story continues with twists and surprises

#2 Boots continues her heart story with the help of her friend, Mary. In this particular episode, Boots discusses cardiac depression in depth and how her work with her mental health therapist was key to her recovery. Also, she describes having the sternal wires removed and the unfortunate need for a third surgery in addition to grieving her mom's death. Website: The Heart Chamber (theheartchamberpodcast.com) Transcript: Joyful Beat | The Heart Chamber (theheartchamberpodcast.com) The Heart Chamb...

Jan 31, 2023•25 min•Season 1Ep. 2

Host, Boots Knighton, shares her open-heart surgery story

#1 Boots Knighton tells her story with the help of her friend, Mary Olson. While on a mountain bike ride on June 26, 2020, Boots felt all the symptoms of a heart attack. Refusing to believe it was happening, she kept going and insisted on finishing the ride. After an ER visit, seeing a cardiologist and even climing Idaho's tallest peak, Mt Borah, Boots finally learned what had been lurking in her heart since birth. The road to get to open-heart surgery was long in every way and filled with obsta...

Jan 31, 2023•47 min•Season 1Ep. 1

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