Thriving on the heart transplant pathway
Empower - Share - Demystify
Today is World Heart Day, which aims to increase awareness of the impact of cardiovascular disease and its impact.
Did you know that around 1% of newborns have some kind of heart issue, making it one of the most prevalent congenital diseases? Not all of this 1% will require serious intervention, such as surgery, but many will. What happens to them as they grow up?
Some of this population will do well, health wise, you'll probably know the Olympic silver medalist Roger Black and the Olympic snowboarder, Shaun White (the Flying Tomato) who were both born with heart conditions.
However, for many, living with a heart condition means continuous medical monitoring, for life, taking medicines, with a high probability of surgical intervention. That can impact on physical health, mental health, the ability to work, relationships and coping with threats such as Covid.
Many in this cohort often won't know anyone else in their family, school or area who also share their heart condition, Social media has actually been great to bring some of these patients together, and I'll be publishing a list of resources in due course, you are not alone!
I wish you a good week ahead. If you would like to get in touch, please email me at richard@heartbeatcounselling.com
If you would like your voice to be heard on any aspect around heart transplant, please do email. I would love to hear from patients who are pre or post transplant, as well as relatives, carers and friends. The more sunlight we can shine on the transplant process, the better for others.
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