Supporting SA cardiac patients and health professionals with free resources

We want to make it easier for South Australians to lead heart-healthy lives so have developed a range of helpful and practical resources for patients, their families, and the general public.

Three free patient resources are available as well as supportive tools for health professionals working with these patients.

Supporting acute coronary syndrome patients

The My heart, my life (MHML) book is designed for patients diagnosed with coronary heart disease.  It has five chapters providing information on:

1. My heart – how your heart works, explaining heart attack and angina, causes of coronary heart disease
2. In Hospital – common tests and procedures, medications, the importance of cardiac rehabilitation, leaving hospital
3. My recovery – seeing your doctor regularly, taking medicines, care for wounds, managing risk factors
4. Services and support – important contacts for further help
5. Take action – my coronary arteries, my recovery, my risk factor readings, setting health goals, recognising heart attack warning signs and CPR

A number of supportive tools are also available to assist health professionals to integrate the MHML book into their practice. A 6 steps to cardiac recovery conversation guide has been developed to facilitate the conversations between health professionals and patients pre-discharge from hospital. The guide refers to the sections of the MHML book that should be discussed with the patient:

• Explain diagnosis/procedure
• Highlight the risk factors relevant to the patient
• Emphasise the importance of cardiac rehabilitation
• Promote medication adherence
• Educate on warning signs of heart attack
• Encourage follow-up with a doctor

The 6 steps to cardiac recovery is available in A4 laminated guide, poster and case note sticker.

Further training on the ‘6 steps’ and what to say to patients can be accessed via the specially developed My heart, my life e-learning system. 

Supporting heart failure patients 

The Living well with heart failure - Information to help you feel better (LWHF) book is an easy-to-read book for people who have heart failure and their carers. It has been developed to include more pictures and simpler language than the LWWCHF book. It includes sections to keep track of medications and fluid intake and an emergency plan.

Access to the Living well with heart failure – Information to help you feel better book  is restricted to hospitals and community health centres. General Practice surgeries can order the books via email.  

Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients

Primary and Secondary prevention resource:

The My heart, my family, our culture resources are designed to help health professionals and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients prevent and manage heart disease and the associated risk factors. It consists of two kits; one for Health Professionals comprising of an A4 flipchart to use with clients, health professional information book and 2 posters; the other kit is for patients and includes a cookbook, risk factor information sheets and a warning signs of heart attack fridge magnet.

See Supporting heart failure patients for resource above which are specifically designed for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

How to order:

• Hospitals please use this order form 
• Primary health care centres (General Practice Clinics, Cardiology rooms) please use this order form.
• Aboriginal health services please use this order form.

For more information on the resources or to arrange a training session for your site please contact Vanessa Poulsen.

The Heart Foundation SA is fortunate to have the financial support of SA Health to bring this suite of key cardiac resources to health services across the state.

Funding from SA Health allows all hospitals, community health centres, General Practices, Cardiology rooms and Aboriginal Medical Services to order a selection of Heart Foundation resources free of charge.

These resources were selected by the Prevention and Rehabilitation Workgroup of the SA Health Cardiac Clinical Network as the standard for all patients to receive. This means all patients are receiving the same evidence based information to assist with managing their heart health condition.