Hi, I'm new here. Husband had a heart attack 10 days ago. Thankfully, he's home and on the road to recovery. I was wondering whether there are support networks around the country. We're in Kent. He's got the Rehab Group to go to in the New Year so maybe they might know?
It's more for me, I think. Just trying to get to grips with the changes and it would be nice to talk to others in a similar position.
Although it appears to be variable in content according to where you are, your husband should get a lot of useful guidance from the cardio rehab course itself on the way forward, and will be assessed and encouraged to return to a new normal all according to what he is capable of, plus an opportunity to meet and talk to others who are in a similar position to himself. And often there is an opportunity to join a follow on course although you may have to pay for that. In the meantime in addition to that there is always the opportunity to talk to the BHF Heart Helpline nurse who should be able to help on medical issues which may arise, and of course there is always this community to give support as you will have noticed. I also suggest you encourage your husband to engage with us on here in due course rather than yourself since it will be a step towards regaining his independence, although that is, of course, entirely down to both of you.
Hi RTCLP1Support groups are often advertised in your local paper so worth having a look there. I would also ask at your surgery & local hospital as they'll likely know of local groups. Our local hospital had a notice board that had the addresses of the groups and a contact name & number.
Good luck, as the wife/carer of someone who has a heart condition we often get forgotten about!! It's an excellent idea to talk to others in your position.
My husbands work friend had a heart attack earlier in the year and he's been enormously helpful with his experience. Yes, I agree, I'd like to talk to others in a similar position to me, too - it's early days and we're navigating this different chapter in his/our lives. I'm doing everything to ensure that his needs are covered, that he has all the support he needs from me, etc (I'm completed devoted to him) but it does come with me containing my emotions at the moment which can be exhausting. I just tell myself that when he starts rehab classes, that'll be my time to do a bit of self-care for me.
Hi I know Darenth Valley hospital are trying to establish a support group if you are near them. Also the cardiac rehab team there are ( in my experience) very supportive. Good luck
When I did rehab, although partners couldn’t come in for the exercise session, they were allowed in for the talks.
I’m in Croydon and 6 years ago we had a support group based at the hospital. Unfortunately, the hospital decided to start charging for room hire, the (elderly) committee couldn’t find anywhere else in the borough to meet, a certain virus struck, and they gave up, closed the group, and donated the contents of the bank account to a local boxing club, without consulting the members. Very annoying.
Have you tried the British Heart Foundation info on local support groups? bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...
Also some local libraries and other local services have community notice boards which sometimes have info about local groups - and some GP practices have notice boards
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