Heart to Heart

Summary

Give your cardiac patients a quick start on making the lifestyle changes they need to make with this new six-part video series. Hosted by Murray Rubin (himself a cardiac patient), "Heart to Heart" tapes feature real cardiac patients in unrehearsed interviews. Special package price for entire series (Call 800-432-8433).

Details

This is one of a six part series of programs aimed at helping heart attack survivors make necessary lifestyle changes. It is made up of interviews with actual patients from across the United States and is hosted by Murray Rubin, himself a heart attack survivor.

The emotional component of heart disease has a major impact on your recovery:

• learn ways to express feelings to those around you
• most heart patients feel a loss of control, which is linked to self esteem and identity
• inadequacy is also a common feeling
• insecurity comes from not knowing what may come - will they have another heart attack or become an invalid
• loss leads to denial, anger, bargaining, depression and finally acceptance
• denial after the crisis pases can cause damage in the future
• suppressing negative emotion also suppresses the immune system

Effects on the family:

• family members also experience emotions, fear, anger, frustration, sadness
• expectations we have developed have to be reevaluated, as do family roles
• spouse needs to take care of their own needs so they can take care of the patient

Communication:

• communication becomes more difficult
• talk to each other about feelings, emotions and plans
• talking creates intimacy and reduces anxiety
• keep a notebook of feelings, thought and emotions
• take a walk together
• be socially connected