Heart health is a subject I took entirely for granted until about 2 1/2 years ago. At just four weeks my youngest son, Devon, was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect and needed immediate surgery to ensure his survival. This episode gave me pause for thought. Then nearly a year ago, my seemingly healthy father died of heart failure while riding his beloved mountain bike.

My name is Heather Craven. I stopped writing for The Cardio Blog last summer after we lost my father, but I am more than happy to be back and again writing about cardio health. It is a subject that so many of us take for granted. And why not? We wake up in the morning and our hearts are beating. We go to bed at night and our hearts continue to thump our life source to our limbs. But in the moment of a breath or the span of a doctor's visit, this attitude can forever change. I come from a long line of hereditary heart disease. I have three children who I hope grow up to lead productive lives with healthy hearts beating in their chests.

The Cardio Blog is a wonderful opportunity to share information and learn more about this all too important topic. I am honored to be back and writing here. I look forward to bringing you informative posts and to hearing your comments.