Support With Every Breath
A strong community encourages a strong heart. From connecting you with others through our cardiac support groups to helping you navigate our financial assistance tools, were here to give you the guidance you need to feel whole.
The information on this website is not a substitute for examination, diagnosis, and medical care provided by a licensed and qualified health professional. Please consult your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment and/or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your physician or 911 immediately. AdventHealth reserves the right to add, remove or edit content on this page at its sole discretion.
AdventHealth and the American Heart Association collaborate on community initiatives that bring awareness to preventative heart care, heart attack and stroke warning signs, and healthy lifestyle education. AdventHealth is also an authorized provider of American Heart Association certification courses.
Were In This Together
Navigating a chronic condition like heart, lung or vascular disease can feel overwhelming at first as you adjust to a new way of life. Thats why were dedicated to giving you the support you need. Whether thats connecting you with one of our experienced and compassionate professionals or guiding you to a support group, were here for you, and were in this together.
Learn From Others To Help Manage Your Heart Failure
Living with heart failure means you have to make a lot of decisions every day to protect your heart and boost your energy, from watching your weight to limiting fluids. Despite their best efforts, your friends and family canât really understand how all these changes affect your life.
Thatâs where a support group may come in. These groups can have many benefits, including offering practical advice from others living with the condition, such as how to cut back on salt without losing taste, says Elizabeth Lockhart, PhD, MPH, who has conducted research about heart failure support groups.
People in support groups also report that theyâre inspired by seeing what others with the condition can accomplish, she says.
These communities prove âthat you can still do things on a day-to-day basis — that you donât need to be babied,â Lockhart says. âYou can really challenge yourself to do the stuff that you want to. That some days may not be as good as others. You just have to weigh where you are on that day.â
Getting to know others with heart failure may ease the mental strain that some people can have after theyâre diagnosed, says Carolyn Thomas, a patient advocate and author of A Womanâs Guide to Living with Heart Disease. One out of every 5 people with heart failure also has depression, according to an analysis of three dozen studies published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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Friends And Family Can Often Provide Much
Managing heart failure isn’t always easy. Physically, many people with heart failure often can’t handle all the tasks they once could. They also have to change their lives eating differently, remembering medications, paying closer attention to their bodies and reducing stress. These changes can be hard because they often require breaking long-held habits.
But the changes are usually easier to make when loved ones provide much-needed support and care. If you live with or are close to someone who has heart failure, you’re likely to have the greatest impact on their success by following instructions from the healthcare team.
What Does Your Diagnosis Mean
No matter what you call it heart disease, cardiovascular disease, or coronary heart disease it means there is a plaque buildup in the walls of your arteries. As the plaque builds, your arteries narrow, making it more difficult for blood to flow and creating a risk for heart attack or stroke. Women are also diagnosed with heart disease when an irregular heartbeat or heart valve problems are present.
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About Norton Heart & Vascular Institute
Every year, about 250,000 people in Louisville and Southern Indiana choose Norton Heart & Vascular Institute specialists for their heart and vascular care. Thats more than any other health care provider.
- Norton Healthcares four adult-service hospitals in Louisville are American College of Cardiology accredited Cycle VI Chest Pain Centers the highest level of expertise to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack.
- You have access to more than 45 board-certified cardiovascular physicians and more than 35 advanced practice providers with specialized training and experience in a comprehensive range of conditions and treatments.
- Patients can make appointments at 27 locations in Louisville and Southern Indiana. Telecardiology is offered at more than 30 sites in the region.
- Norton Audubon Hospital, a key location for Norton Heart & Vascular Institute services, has been recognized with a HeartCare Center National Distinction of Excellence year after year by the American College of Cardiology. This is the only hospital in Louisville to be recognized for this distinction.
Stroke Education And Screenings
Free stroke screenings are offered to the public periodically at health fairs and other events supported by UPMC in Central Pa. For the most up-to-date schedule, please see our online calendar of events.
Screenings can also be arranged for organizations or businesses. Please call 717-782-2736 for more information.
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Connecting You With Support
Every individual and diagnosis is a little different, but you can often find community and support among others facing similar situations. We partner with many community organizations that drive hope and healing.
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The information on this website is not a substitute for examination, diagnosis, and medical care provided by a licensed and qualified health professional. Please consult your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment and/or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your physician or 911 immediately. AdventHealth reserves the right to add, remove, or edit content on this page at its sole discretion.
Prevalence And Risk Factors
Heart failure is a common syndrome, especially in older adults. Although more patients survive acute myocardial infarction because of reperfusion therapy, most have at least some residual LV systolic dysfunction, which can lead to heart failure. Currently, 5.7 million Americans are afflicted with heart failure, approximately 2% of the population.1 Patients with heart failure account for about 1 million hospital admissions annually, and another 2 million patients have heart failure as a secondary diagnosis. Many of these patients are readmitted within 90 days for recurrent decompensation.
Patients at high risk for developing heart failure are those with hypertension, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, family history of cardiomyopathy, use of cardiotoxins, and obesity.
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Stay Supported Stay Strong
Transitioning and getting back into a routine after treatment is everything. Thats why our team of nurses, dietitians, social workers, and other specialists is here for you, offering multidisciplinary care to keep you healthier, longer. Through the Heart Success Center, we help you safely adjust from the hospital back to home life.
Go With The Flow Mechanical Circulatory Support
The Mechanical Circulatory Support Group is for persons who have a heart pump and their loved ones. Quarterly meetings offer attendees a chance to connect and learn with others who have these devices.
Where: Advanced Heart Failure Clinic Morehead Medical Center 1025 Morehead Medical Drive, 6th Floor, Room 6018 Charlotte, NC 28204
- May 5-Picnic at 11 a.m.
For more Information: Please call , option 6.
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Related Drug Support Groups
To post your own question to this support group, or create an account.
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Heart Failure Support Group
A diagnosis of heart failure may leave patients and their family members feeling frightened and alone. Having someone else to talk to, someone who has experienced the same issues, may help them feel better physically, spiritually and emotionally.
The Temple Heart & Vascular Institutes free Heart Failure Support Group offers patients the chance to share their experiences with others and learn more about their disease. Many who attend are comforted by the knowledge that they are not alone.
This support group accommodates patients of all stages, from the recently diagnosed to patients who are receiving a heart transplant. Family members are also encouraged to attend meetings so they can learn how to cope with this disease.
The Heart Failure Support Group is currently meeting virtually every 3rd Wednesday of the month. View our Events Calendar for a list of support group dates.
To register or for more information about the Heart Failure Support Group, contact Bahiyra Shaw at .
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Watching Out For Pitfalls
How you interact with a group may change over time, Thomas says.
Shortly after her own major heart attack more than a decade ago, she lurked a lot in online support communities, soaking up all the information she could. But after sheâd learned more, she stopped seeking out information as much, instead sharing what she knew as others joined.
Over time, she says, you may find that you donât log on as frequently.
âNow, youâre just living your life. You may come back if you have some unusual symptoms,â Thomas says.
She also advises vetting the group a bit. Check out the sponsor, since some groups are launched by pharmaceutical companies. âYouâre getting information that pharmaceutical companies want you to get.â
Also, find out whether the sponsor will keep your information private, Thomas adds. Are they compiling and selling it for marketing or other purposes?
Be careful about how much you share, particularly in an online group where you canât see the others involved, Thomas says. âThereâs no social cues that you pick up. Thereâs this perceived intimacy, like, ‘I know these people,â even though you donât.ââ
Heart Success Support Group Information
The Heart Success Support Group is for patients who have congestive heart failure and their family/caregivers. Monthly meetings include educational discussions about medication, stress management, nutrition and weight control, advice to quit smoking, medical devices and other areas of concern for people with CHF.
Where: Morehead Medical Plaza 1025 Morehead Medical Drive, 6th floor Charlotte, NC 28204
Time: 12 to 1 p.m.
Dates:
- May 2, 2018: Latest and Greatest Treatment for Atrial Fibrillation
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Living With Heart Disease You’re Not Alone
You walk into your doctors office for what you think is either a routine checkup or to address that nagging pain in your neck, jaw or back. Then it happens. You have heart disease. The words you never, not in a million years, thought your doctor would utter.
Youre not alone. Youve just joined the ranks of more than 43 million American women who have heard the same diagnosis. Pause for a second and think about how massive that number is.
Star Jones and other heart disease survivors like her call this group of women members of the zipper club a club, she says, women are proud of because it symbolizes the strength, unity and determination to come together and help one another fight this disease. And win.
Recovery & Support For Heart Failure
Many people with heart failure are repeatedly admitted to the hospital for treatment. At NewYork-Presbyterian, we want to stop that cycle. Through our Centralized Heart Failure Management Program, we provide care for a lifetime for anyone with heart failure treated at any hospital in the NewYork-Presbyterian healthcare system.
Our dedicated team of heart failure specialists uses telephone check-ins, telehealth visits, support groups, and remote monitoring devices to care for people with heart failure in their homes throughout the New York tri-state area. Our goal is to keep our patients out of the hospital and at home, living their best lives possible.
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He Attended One Support Group Meeting And Found Other People’s Experiences Gave Him A Bit Of Hope
Several people we spoke to had been involved in setting up or running a local support group for people with heart failure, cardiomyopathy or implanted devices . Some also acted as a buddy by giving individual support to people newly diagnosed or newly fitted with an ICD. Not all support groups operate on a face-to-face basis. Some people we spoke with belonged to an online heart failure support group, enabling them to chat to other members over the internet or by phone, which they found helpful.
Cardiac Care For The Community
Compassionate care is at the heart of our mission. Through the Trina Hidalgo Heart Care Center, we work hard to provide our heart patients with effective medical treatment despite their financial challenges. With the help of private donors, we provide access to medication assistance, community resources, and vital follow-up care for those without income or health insurance.
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Helping You Get Stronger
Our cardiopulmonary rehabilitation teams offer monitored exercise, education, nutritional counseling, and support to help you improve your function and quality of life. You can receive therapy addressing your physical health, activities of daily living, and recreation needs in a safe and supportive environment. Well design a rehabilitation plan to help you reach your best possible level of physical function during and after heart failure treatment.
Contact Us
Powerful Hearts Support Group For Cardiac Surgery Patients
We are honored that you trusted us for your heart surgery. In order to help you along the road to recovery, patients who have had cardiac or vascular surgery with Doctors Mumtaz, Loran, Jaik or Martella, are welcome to join our Powerful Hearts support group. Each session will feature dynamic presentations by physicians, nurses, registered dietitians, exercise experts and more as well as light refreshments. The support group is a free service. See our classes and events section for upcoming sessions.
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Upmc Cardiac Classes And Groups In Central Pa
UPMC in Central Pa. offers a wide range of community health events and activities, all focused on keeping you and your family healthy.
In an effort to help you and your family to be as healthy as possible, UPMC in Central Pa. sponsors a variety of community health events and activities, including screenings, classes and workshops. Check out our calendar of events for the most up to date listing and for new programs.
Supporting Your Health At Home
Our recovery and support services include:
- Remote monitoring with implanted devices such as CardioMEMs and HeartLogic coupled with remote patient monitoring systems. These devices can sense changes in your heart function early, enabling your doctor to modify your medical care to resolve them sooner with the goal of preventing a visit to the emergency room or admission to the hospital.
- Instruction about the devices as well as smartphone and tablet apps that collect data we use with your permission to track your heart health.
- Guidance about healthy eating and physical activity to help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight, which is good for your heart.
- Telephone check-ins and periodic telehealth visits to see how you’re doing and answer any questions.
- Support groups and integrative therapies that promote your overall well-being mind, body, and spirit.
Services are available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Mandarin, Korean, and Russian.
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Womenheart Is Here For You
Our local support networks provide women like you the critical peer-to-peer support, information and encouragement that you need. Led by trained patient volunteers, more than 100 support groups meet monthly all over the country. Get started by finding a group near you. In the wake of COVID-19, some groups are back to meeting in person and others are meeting virtually over Zoom. Reach out to your local leader for information.
If you cant find a support network in your community, inquire about HeartSisters Online, an entirely virtual support network for women anywhere in the country, by emailing . WomenHeart also offers on-one-on support through our SisterMatch program and supports an online patient forum through Inspire.
Finding The Right Fit
Seeking support can help not just people with the condition but also their caregivers, says Gregg Fonarow, MD, who directs the Ahmanson-UCLA Cardiomyopathy Center in Los Angeles. âWe often can see where, in response to the stress and challenges, individuals at times either stop medications or do not refill them or do not closely follow up on their condition when things worsen,â he says. By getting to know others, they wonât feel so alone in managing the heart condition, which can pay off for their health.
When searching for an in-person group, Lockhart suggests finding out how many members are involved. If the group includes just a few people, you may not find someone who you connect with on a personal level. Closer to 10 participants may keep the conversation going, especially if theyâre at a similar stage of heart failure and thus share some struggles, she says.
For some, an online community may prove to be a better fit, Thomas says. If your energy has been flagging all day, an online group lets you take part without leaving your home, she says. She participates in the online WomenHeart group, which has nearly 50,000 members.
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