|
|||||||||||
 |
Protecting Your Heart
Talking Heart to HeartWomen-only support groups can boost health for heart patientsAfter suffering a heart attack, women more often feel isolated, depressed and anxious than men—all of which increases their risk for a second attack. Such negative emotions may stem from lack of support, says cardiologist Deborah Sundlof, D.O., of Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network. For example, researchers in one study found that women recovering from heart attacks get less help with household chores than men do.Women heart patients also are less likely than men to enroll in cardiac rehabilitation. “Rehab programs often serve as unofficial support groups for people recovering from heart attacks and surgery,” Sundlof says, “and they also reduce the risk for a second heart attack. Unfortunately, many women drop out or don’t sign up. One reason is that the group tends to be predominantly male.” All of this underscores the importance of women-only support groups. “Heart disease is the number-one killer of women, yet many people still think of it as a man’s disease,” Sundlof says. “Support groups can help women realize that they’re not alone in having heart disease—and that they can do something about their health.” Participants in a support group learn how they can use nutrition, exercise and stress management to reduce their heart disease risk. “A support group also can improve how a person copes with stressful situations,” says psychiatrist Edward Norris, M.D., of Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network. “These groups help women maintain social connections.” Forming a women-only support group in the Lehigh Valley did just that for Irene Dvorscak. After her heart attack four years ago at age 62, Dvorscak, a retired nurse, knew she needed help. At first she felt angry that years of healthy eating and exercise hadn’t saved her heart. The anger soon gave way to fear. “I was afraid to go to sleep at night because I didn’t know if I would wake up,” she says. “I was afraid to travel because I didn’t want to stray too far from my cardiologist. I wanted someone to talk to, someone who had gone through it before.” In fact, researchers have found that “banding together” like this is an important coping strategy for women. Eventually Dvorscak joined with Lehigh Valley Hospital to start WomenHeart, the region’s first heart disease support group for women. At WomenHeart meetings, group members share feelings and stories as well as listen to invited experts talk about nutrition, stress reduction and other topics. One of the participants, Elaine Nolfa of Lower Macungie Township, suffered a heart attack 10 years ago. “I definitely see the support group as a missing ingredient for many people,” she says. “I gained a great deal of strength from sharing my compassion with the other women.” About WomenHeartThe WomenHeart support group is open to all women heart patients. Meetings are held the second Monday of each month in the Center for Healthy Aging at Lehigh Valley Hospital— 17th and Chew streets in Allentown. For details, call 610-402-CARE
Want to Know More about cardiac rehabilitation programs?
Call 610-402-CARE for a brochure. This page last updated 3/30/08 03:04 PM
ARTICLE TOOLS:
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
||||||
