Support

Research has shown that people with heart failure who have strong emotional and social support manage their condition better and have a more positive outlook on life. However, it’s important to remember that we are all individuals with different needs and abilities. The good news is that if you have heart failure, there are many different sources of support that you can consider.

These include:

• Your spouse, partner or healthcare provider
  This person will usually be the person closest to you and can offer considerable support in all aspects of your life with heart failure.
• Friends and family
  Sometimes you may prefer to speak to friends or family about certain matters relating to your heart failure, as you may not wish to burden your partner with all your needs or concerns.
• Doctors, nurses and other medical staff
  As well as being responsible for treating your heart failure, doctors and nurses can help provide information on emotional support, which may be available from counsellors, and social support that may be available from Social Services. Click here to learn more about the people that may be involved in your care.
• Heart failure support groups
  Some people find it useful to discuss their feelings and issues with other people who have similar problems and experiences. However, support groups are not for everyone, so don’t feel bad if you try one and find it’s not right for you. There are many other sources of support open to you. You can check your local or national heart foundation for the availability of these groups.
• Information online
  More and more health information can be found online on websites such as the one you are currently reading. These websites can be an excellent source of information and support for helping you cope with your heart failure. They are also an excellent resource to help educate your partner, family and friends. However, it’s best to use websites from reputable organisations.
• Patient organisation – visit http://pumpingmarvellous.org/

For links to some useful websites click here.