Global Heart Hub Patient Voices: Daniela Machado

Daniela emphasises that cardiovascular disease doesn’t just affect the heart physically, it deeply impacts emotional well-being.

“What stayed with me most was the emotional dimension of the experience. The loss of control. The dependency. The way time moves differently in hospital. You become acutely aware of how much reassurance matters — a calm voice, clear explanations a hand held at the right moment. Recovery was not only physical; it was psychological. There is grief in surviving something serious. You grieve the version of yourself that felt invincible. At the same time, there is profound gratitude. I began to see life differently — slower, deeper, more intentional.”

“We know that tomorrow is not guaranteed — so live in the moment. Don’t postpone joy. Don’t wait for the “all clear” or the perfect circumstances to allow yourself to live. Say the things you mean. Take the photo. Sit in the sun. Call the person. Rest when you need to. Celebrate small victories — stable results, a good day of energy, a walk that felt easier than last week.”

Daniela shares her patient experience in the hope of helping others to navigate their care journey. She emphasised the need for emotional and psychological care as part of the care pathway, “I would like to see routine mental health screening and access to counselling embedded into cardiovascular pathways, not offered as an afterthought. Anxiety, identity loss, and fear of recurrence are real and deserve structured support.”

Stronger patient involvement in decision-making and better continuity of care are other areas that Daniela advocates for. “I would like to see stronger follow-up structures, clearer communication between teams, and more consistent points of contact so patients are not left feeling abandoned once the immediate crisis has passed.”

Daniela is passionate about raising awareness about living with scars — both physical and emotional. She’s exploring opportunities to engage with other patients who are living with scars.

“Scars tell stories. Surgical scars, dialysis lines, procedural marks — they are visible reminders of survival. But there are also invisible scars: fear, grief, identity shifts, trauma. I want to create a space for both to be acknowledged. Healing is not only about closing wounds; it is about integrating what they have meant.”

Daniela is a remarkable advocate who uses her story to uplift, inspire and give hope especially to young women navigating cardiovascular disease. “Cardiovascular disease affects every age. Younger patients often feel invisible in systems designed around older populations (my case).”

“Through Global Heart Hub and the wider global community, I feel supported not only as a patient, but as an advocate. My voice has found resonance and that, in itself, is powerful.”

Drawing on her experiences as both a nurse and an intensive care patient, Daniela wrote her first book, a memoir “Finding Life Twice”, which explores resilience and hope after a life-threatening experience.

“Writing is one of the ways I make sense of the world. I find comfort in words, both reading and crafting them, especially pieces that explore resilience, identity, and the quiet strength people carry within them,” says Daniela.

“My journey reshaped me. It taught me about vulnerability, resilience and the quiet strength that emerges when you are forced to confront your own mortality. And perhaps most importantly, it taught me never to underestimate the power of compassion in healing.”

She looks forward to sharing her story at an upcoming cardiovascular conference – “Storytelling in these spaces matters. Data informs but lived experience transforms.”