Medical experts’ talks could help to save your life

Young people need to start looking after their hearts before it is too late, according to a support group for heart disease patients and their carers.

The Cardiac Resource Group (CRG) is self-help organization founded in 1993 to provide support and information to heart attack sufferers and those with heart conditions.

It aims to encourage patients in changing their lifestyles for the better, as directed by their physicians. It does not give medical advice but provides moral support and is a forum for healthy eating and exercise.

This month the CRG is marking World Health Month by organizing a series of free health talks for the public, in partnership with the Bermuda Heart Foundation.

Risks

It is the fifth year the group has staged the talks, and this year’s theme is ‘You Are Never Too Young to Get A Broken Heart’.

On Monday, Susan Adhemar of the Bermuda Diabetes Centre talked about ‘The Psychological Impact of Cardiac Events on Patients, Families and Caregivers’.

Next Monday (February 11), Debbie Jones of the Bermuda Diabetes Centre will talk about ‘Diabetes and Sugar’.

On February 18, Simone Barton of the Bermuda Heart Foundation will speak on ‘Heart Health is a Family Matter’ and on February 25, Dr Sam Mir of the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital will cover ‘Lifestyle to Prevent Heart Disease’.

Each World Heart Month talk will take place in the First Floor Conference Room of King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, at 7pm.

Doris Bailey, CRG coordinator, said: “We chose the speakers and the subjects because these tend to be the risk factors for people with heart disease.

“For example, diabetes is a very strong risk factor and if you don’t manage this condition, you may end up having a heart attack.

“When it comes to diabetes, the risk is that when you feel good this gives you a false sense of security and you tend to go back to your older habits.

“There are no real symptoms when it comes to diabetes and so you can feel great but your sugars can be very high. I’ve experienced this myself.”

Ms Bailey said ‘Heart Health is a Family Matter’ may cover how to prepare healthy meals for everyone in the family, taking into consideration those with a heart condition.

For ‘Lifestyle to Prevent Heart Disease’, she said: “I’m hoping Dr Mir will talk about what people can do to prevent heart disease before it happens.

“People will be surprised at just how much they can learn at these talks. We hope it will encourage them to live a healthier lifestyle now, rather than after they’ve had a heart attack, because unfortunately a lot of people have a rude awakening.

“They have the heart attack and then start thinking about good health, but if you do it now before it happens to you then that will help to prevent it.”

Ms Bailey said: “I want to see a lot more young people coming out and being proactive.

“I hope they will learn something from the talks, about being healthy in their younger years so they can enjoy a good quality of life when they’re older.

“Unfortunately, due to the obesity rate and the sedentary lifestyle these days, with so much time spent on computers, some people may not reach old age.

“We want to get the message out to as many young people as possible. When you have people as young as 26 having heart attacks, that is frightening, but it’s happening more and more.

“The way you live your life in your younger years will determine your quality of life in your older years.”

The non-profit group meets twice a month and has about 15 members, most of whom are women over-60.

It is open to members of the public of all ages and a donation of $3 is welcome, to cover expenses.

Ms Bailey said: “I got involved because of my (late) mother’s condition.

“We don’t give medical advice because we’re not medical people — we’re just everyday people who have had this experience, and we try to encourage one another to follow what the doctors have individually told us to do.

“We share our problems and successes with others in a similar situation.

“We also invite health professionals to give health-related presentations. We swap recipes and view heart-related videos and information.

“We talk about what has worked for us, but always stress that before you try something new which may have worked for another person, you should always get medical advice from your physician first.”

Consequences

She added: “It is hoped that people who have had treatment, and those diagnosed with heart-risk factors such as high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, stress, the need to lose weight. etc, will be encouraged by their health professionals to seek out CRG as a good source for on-going information and support.

“Heart problems can strike anyone at any time. They can have devastating consequences for the unprepared and their families.

“We welcome all interested persons to join us at our meetings, to share and learn about the heart and related matters.”

The Cardiac Resource Group meets at the annex of the Department of Health’s clinic in Victoria Street, Hamilton. Meetings are held on the second and fourth Mondays of the month, from 7-9pm, except on public holidays, summer breaks in July and August, and at Christmas and New Year. For further information call Reg White on 236-4840 or Doris Bailey on 292-3521.