Yes, I Can! Start a heart attack support group

A new way of shopping—When he got home from the hospital, Israel Olivieri and his wife, Lisa (shown here at Wegmans, Allentown), discarded all the unhealthy foods in their pantry. Now they carefully read labels and buy fresh as much as possible.

Who: Israel Olivieri, 44, of Whitehall

What he's doing: Starting a heart attack support group for others like himself

His Story: Olivieri suffered a heart attack so severe he had to be shocked back to life twice. Within an hour of arriving at Lehigh Valley Hospital— Muhlenberg, he had his blocked artery opened by interventional cardiologist Anthony Urbano, M.D., and the MI Alert for Heart Attacks team. Determined to change his life, Olivieri improved his diet and started exercising, but he felt depressed and scared. “The slightest pains made me nervous,” he says. “I was having trouble realizing I’m not bulletproof.”

Hurdle: Olivieri wanted to talk to someone who’d experienced what he was feeling, but couldn’t find a local support group. Then he met MI Alert coordinator Steve Palmer, R.N. The two decided to start a heart attack support group at Lehigh Valley Hospital.

His Goal: Olivieri hopes the group, now being formed, will provide comfort and reassurance to other heart attack survivors. Group members can share stories and experiences, and hear from hospital specialists on ways to stay heart-healthy.

Want to Know More? For Olivieri’s full story and information on the heart attack support group, call 610-402-CARE or click here.

Published from Healthy You Magazine, July-August 2008

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