Matters of the Heart: Finding Hope in Peer Support

Heart disease is the leading cause of death among Hispanics.

According to the American Hearts Association, nearly half of all Hisepanic adults have elevated choles-terol levels and 22.2 percent have high blood pressure. Depression is -common following a diagnosis of heart disease, heart attack or surgery. e Going through a heart event is ea life-changing experience that generates lots of questions. “Why did this happen to me? Will my life return to normal? What will my life be like now?”

There is hope, however. A 2014 study conducted by the American College of Cardiology showed the remarkable results of peer support for heart patients.

Patients with peer support are more optimistic, with 75 percent reporting feeling in ‘very good/ excellent health.’

They more readily understand and comply with doctors’ direction, yielding better outcomes.

Peer visitors are helpful in a variety of ways: Support from someone with similar experiences Useful information on medical conditions and the recovery process

Encouragement

Patients rate themselves extremely highly for following medical direction: They are diligent about adhering to medication schedules and use They do their prescribed physical activities and know how to watch for worsening symptoms

Fewer than 1 in 5 of these patients were readmitted to the hospital, and that is significantly less than the national average— especially for heart failure patients.

If you or someone you love has heart disease, do not hesitate to reach out for support. You are not alone. Sharing your heart journey provides hope and can make a world of difference. ■