About Us
Heart of a Giant Foundation
HGF
About Heart of a Giant Foundation
At Heart of a Giant Foundation, we are committed to reducing the impact of heart disease worldwide. We strive to become the leading partner in detecting, diagnosing, and managing cardiac risk factors. Our multi-level intervention programs empower individuals to take control of their health. Join us now to impact communities affected by heart disease significantly.
Our Vision and Mission
Our vision is clear: to ensure that every individual in the community has access to effective heart health education, superior healthcare assistance, and community resources, enhancing their overall health, quality of life, and the management of their heart conditions and related risk factors. We strive to achieve this vision by:
Our mission is to proactively identify heart-related risk factors in at-risk population groups, provide them with the support and knowledge they need to become self-reliant, and advocate for managing and living with their health conditions.
Raising awareness about risk factors and symptoms of cardiac conditions;
Promoting regular health check-ups, screening, and early diagnosis;
Providing culturally intelligent and responsive services;
Improving patient-provider relationships;
Enabling access to improved care and better health outcomes;
Empowering patients and caregivers, and
Promoting advocacy and self-advocacy.
Some Tough Truths About Heart Disease
Heart disease remains the No. 1 cause of death both in the US and the World, with staggering statistics highlighting the urgency of our mission:
18 million+ lives are lost to heart disease globally each year.
655,000+ deaths occur in the US annually due to heart disease.
495,000+ individuals suffer from high blood pressure-related casualties every year.
Despite these alarming figures, only about 49% of Americans are aware of their heart health status, underscoring the critical need for increased education and awareness.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a common heart condition that has been identified by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a leading risk factor for heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and vascular dementia.
According to a recent study conducted by the Boston Public Health Commission, one out of every four adult residents in Boston reported having hypertension. The study also found that the percentage of hypertension was higher for Black (36%) and Latino (27%) adults compared to White adults (20%). Neighborhoods with predominantly Black people, such as Mattapan, Dorchester, or Roxbury, had hypertension rates ranging from 34% to 42%.
More About Us
Eager to learn more about our efforts and impact? Visit our News and Insights Page. It's a space where we share blogs, insights, stories, and project updates. Our blog isn't just about posting articles; it's a platform for engagement. We love interacting with our readers in the comments section, fostering a community of like-minded individuals passionate about advancing the world of heart health.
Join us at Heart of a Giant Foundation as we work with our communities, supporters and partners to turn the tide against heart disease, one heart at a time.
News and Insights
Disclaimer:
The information shared on this page is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider for any medical issues.
REVIEW OF A SIX-YEAR HEART TRANSPLANT JOURNEY WITH SOMANEH BOUBA: DIAGNOSIS & CHALLENGES
Today’s episode is a little different. Join us as Somaneh Bouba speaks about his heart transplant journey six months after with his new heart. Bouba has overcome tremendous challenges in his six year-long heart transplant journey. As a dedicated husband, father, senior corporate manager and social entrepreneur, Somaneh has navigated his way through the complex world of heart transplantation with grace and resilience. His personal experiences have given him unique insights and perspectives on the challenges those recovering from a heart transplant face.
Join us as Somaneh shares his inspiring story and offers invaluable advice for fellow and future transplant recipients.
In this episode, learn more about:
Navigating the complexities of heart transplant recovery.
The crucial role of robust support networks during health challenges.
Mastering medication management and side effect mitigation.
The emotional rollercoaster post-heart transplant.
Cultivating a grateful and positive mindset to weather any storm.
Catch the bonus content on our Youtube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/@heartofagiant
Did you enjoy this episode? A free way to support our show is by leaving it a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. It’s a chance to tell us what you love about the show, and it helps others discover the Living with Heart Disease podcast.
Apple Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-10-inspiring-journey-from-heart-failure-to/id1567454596?i=1000608329515
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4aJeFMvnXyazgGuhR8A4Xs?si=6d9f19949f514714&nd=1
Connect with me:
Instagram: livingwithheartdisease.podcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heartofagiant.foundation
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heartofagiant
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LWHDpodcast
Chapter Summaries:
Time-stamped summary of this episode:
00:00:00 – Introduction,
Bouba Somaneh begins the podcast episode by thanking the audience for joining and introducing the topic, which is his own heart disease story.
00:01:25 – Bouba talks about his early diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy and how he managed to live with it through medication and lifestyle changes. He also talks about moving to Senegal, launching a business, and getting accepted into President Obama flagship’s Young African Leadership Initiative.
00:04:27 – Bouba talks about how his condition got abruptly worse a few days after arriving in the US for his fellowship and had to be put on the transplant list. He talks about the significant operations he had to undergo and the life changes he had to make, including moving with his wife to Boston and staying with his in-laws for a year.
00:12:38 – Bouba talks about receiving the call for a new heart on a Friday afternoon and got everything to get to the hospital. He talks about the procedure and waking up two days later.
00:15:41 – He discusses his recovery and ICU stay after his heart transplant,the intense monitoring in ICU, his struggles with blood pressure and balance, and passing out once in the hospital. He also talks about the attention and focus of the nurses and the patience required during recovery.
00:21:41 – Bouba discusses the medication and adjustments required after his heart transplant, including antirejection medications and vitamin intake. He talks about the importance of being aware of side effects and having a support system during recovery.
00:25:46 – The day before he got the phone call for the transplant, he received an offer for a new job which he accepted while in ICU. Bouba talks about negotiating his start date with his employer and the importance of proper operations and compliance for the Foundation.
00:29:15 – Bouba discusses the importance of having a solid support system during recovery, including managing children and helping them understand the transplant process.
00:30:05 – The joy of hearing his new heart and the excitement of others at the hospital. He notes that his kids visited the hospital to listen to his new heartbeat. They were amazed by the sound. These moments were fun.
00:30:38 – Bouba talks about the difficulty of being at the hospital away from his boys It was not easy for the boys, especially the younger twin, who had difficulty with the absence Thankfully, his attitude changed for the better once Bouba returned home.
00:31:22 – Bouba expresses gratitude for his medical team, friends, and family, and everyone who supported them during his recovery. He highlighted The Heart of a Giant at the Foundation team, who kept leading work. He had something to look forward to, which helped them stay positive throughout the process.
00:31:55 – Bouba talks about his plans for the future, including delivering at home, working on the Foundation, and helping others going through similar experiences.
Testimonials
Our Supporters
Our Partners
Community Organizations
The Heart of a Giant Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, EIN 84-2900386. Donations are tax-deductible.
