Living with heart disease can mean having limited energy, time, and bandwidth. You may find yourself needing to say "no" more often than you did before you developed a heart condition. Do you have a tough time being direct with others about how you feel? It's not unusual to feel awkward or self-centered when turning down a request or an invitation. You may feel at the mercy of the other person's need.

Using "I" statements can help put you back in the driver's seat of the situation. An "I" statement directly communicates your feelings and sets a clear boundary, allowing you to focus on treating your heart disease and managing heart disease-related symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, or chest pain. For instance:

I don't feel like going.
I'd rather do something else instead.
I can't do it this week.
Whenever I attend that event, it takes me days to recover.

At first, you may feel vulnerable about using direct "I" statements when saying no. Your true feelings are exposed, and you may be judged for using heart disease as an excuse. "I" statements can also be freeing! You don't need to pretend or tell a white lie. It's ok to communicate directly about what you need.

Using an "I" statement is a way of taking responsibility for your feelings. You are not blaming or accusing the other person. You are being honest about your needs and making sure they are recognized.

Members of MyHeartDiseaseTeam shared some of their experiences with communicating directly:

• "Two years ago today, I had a widowmaker heart attack. What I've learned from it is to put your priorities straight. I have learned that if I don't take care of myself first, I can't take care of others."
• "One day at a time - recovery is a slow process."
• "To get up and do anything around the house just drains me of all my energy. I am SO tired of watching TV but nothing else to do. My family makes fun of me and do not understand how hard all of this is."

Have you used "I" statements to set boundaries? How did it feel?
Share your stories about direct communication in the comments below or on MyHeartDiseaseTeam.