Heartfelt Wisdom: Jessica Love's Comprehensive Approach to Health and Wellbeing

A broken heart is never just emotional—it can become deeply physical. Nurse practitioner Jessica Love shares her powerful journey from ICU nurse to patient after experiencing stress-induced cardiomyopathy, also known as "broken heart syndrome," during her clinical training. What began as subtle symptoms of fatigue and chest pressure quickly escalated into a life-threatening cardiac event, reshaping everything she thought she knew about stress, health, and healing.  Her recovery became a turning point, shifting her focus from treating disease in the ICU to preventing it through whole-person care. In this conversation with Dr. Michelle Robin and Bayleigh Soza, Jessica explores how chronic stress impacts the heart, why women's symptoms are often missed, and how nervous system regulation, awareness, and daily habits can transform long-term heart health.  Key Takeaways:   Broken heart syndrome can occur unexpectedly when chronic or emotional stress overwhelms the body, even in young and healthy individuals.   Stress often shows up physically before it is emotionally recognized, with symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, and reduced energy.   The heart and nervous system are deeply connected, meaning emotional regulation directly influences cardiovascular health and resilience.   Women's heart symptoms are frequently subtle and can be overlooked, making awareness of early warning signs especially important.   Daily practices like gratitude, movement, sleep, nutrition, and nervous system regulation can significantly support long-term heart health and prevention.   We couldn't highlight incredible stories like this without the support of our sponsor, CommunityAmerica Credit Union. Thank you for helping us promote connection, well-being, and stronger communities. If you're looking for trusted financial wellbeing resources, we invite you to connect with their team and take the next step toward greater financial confidence.  About Jessica Love:  Jessica Love, APRN, FNP-C, is a board-certified nurse practitioner specializing in a whole-person, root-cause approach to cardiometabolic health and nervous system regulation. She has a nursing background in critical care at a Level 1 trauma center and experience as a nurse practitioner in both inpatient and outpatient cardiology. Jessica blends conventional medicine with functional and lifestyle-based approaches to support long-term health and wellness. Her education and clinical experience allow her to support patients through personalized strategies including nutrition, movement, and lifestyle interventions.  Inspired by both professional experience and her own nearly fatal cardiac event, Jessica is deeply committed to helping others understand the mind-body connection and address the underlying drivers of chronic disease and inflammation. As a certified HeartMath Coach she incorporates nervous system regulation into her care, helping patients build resilience, reduce stress, and create an internal environment that supports overall well-being. Her goal is to help others repair, rebuild, and rebalance their health, fostering sustainable, meaningful shifts that promote lasting vitality and well-being.  Jessica enjoys traveling, gardening, cooking healthy meals, running, community, and spending time with her husband and her French Bulldog named Beau.  Connect with Jessica Love at:  https://rootedheartkc.com/   Connect with Dr. Michelle and Bayleigh at:  https://smallchangesbigshifts.com  [email protected]  https://www.linkedin.com/company/smallchangesbigshifts  https://www.facebook.com/SmallChangesBigShifts  https://www.instagram.com/smallchangesbigshiftsco  https://www.youtube.com/@smallchangesbigshiftsco    Thanks for listening!  Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.  Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!  Subscribe to the podcast  If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.  Leave us an Apple Podcasts review  Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.