Links

Resources for helpful heart information There are many good resources for heart patients and family members. Here are some of the ones I have found to be helpful for both myself and my family: Webpages: Womenheart- National patient advocacy organization serving the 8,000,000 American women living with heart disease and provides them support, information and advocacy. Their aim is to improve their quality of life and healthcare, to include early detection, accurate diagnosis and proper treatment. Allison Teger is a Spokesperson for this organization. http://www.womenheart.org ACHA- (The Adult Congenital Heart Association) is a nonprofit organization which seeks to improve the quality of life and extend the lives of adults with congenital heart defects. Through education, outreach, advocacy and promotion of research, ACHA serves and supports the more than one million adults with congenital heart defects, their families and the medical community. They provided me with tremendous support in my weeks prior to and after open heart surgery especially through the message board. http://www.achaheart.org Books or tapes: The Open Heart Companion: Preparation and Guidance for Open-Heart Surgery Recovery by Maggie Lichtenberg, PCC This is the most comprehensive book I have found to prepare heart patients and their family members for open heart surgery and the recovery process. I highly recommend it. http://www.openheartcoach.com/TheBook.html Successful Surgery - Health Journeys by Belleruth Naparstek This CD has a preparation section as well as a portion directly for surgery. I found it to be a huge help in sleeping before the surgery. Additionally, My surgeon’s assistant at mayo clinic MN, sent me a copy and allowed me to use it during the surgery once I transferred it to my MP3 player. This can also be used in combination with another cd of hers entitled Cardiac ICU & Rehab.http://www.healthjourneys.com As a therapist working with guided imagery, I can also personalize a CD for you as I did for myself, to be used in ICU and in the recovery process. I have personally found guided imagery to be a helpful key to a successful recovery. (My own personal view.) If interested please contact me at: ally@help4hearts.com Based on my experiences and that of other heart patients (both congenital and acquired) please take the time to do the following: *Educate yourself. *Research and prepare for your event or that of your family member. *Consider a qualified second opinion when in comes to heart issues. *And if you have a congenital condition that is complex (see ACHA’s site to determine or speak to your physician) please consider the recommendations of the ACC in going to a regional center of excellence (also listed on ACHA’s website). *Whatever supports you choose please also take the time to prepare for recovery ahead of time.