Free resources for SA cardiac patients and health professionals
Access a range of helpful and practical resources, developed to make it easier for South Australians to lead heart-healthy lives.
Supporting acute coronary syndrome patients and their carers
The My Heart, My Life program supports people who have had a heart attack or angina and their carers.
The program is FREE to enrol and offers each patient and their carers:
Two printed booklets
These booklets meet health literacy standards and contain visual diagrams and images to help patients to understand their heart condition. Patients and their carers receive these booklets while patients are in hospital.
Six steps to cardiac recovery
A number of tools are available to help health professionals integrate the My Heart, My Life program into their practice.
The guide refers to the sections of the My Heart, My Life Part 1 booklet that should be discussed with patients at this stage:
- 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 a heart attack
- Encourage follow-up with a doctor
Watch this video for an overview.
A Six steps to cardiac recovery eLearning module is also available to help health professionals facilitate effective bedside education after a heart attack and/or angina diagnosis. It takes two hours to complete and contributes to annual CPD points. This training is endorsed by the Australian Cardiovascular Health and Rehabilitation Association (ACRA).
Supporting heart failure patients
The Living well with heart failure – Information to help you feel better book (preview) is an easy-to-read resource for people who have heart failure and their carers. It has been developed to include pictures and simple language. 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 the online shop.
Supporting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples
The My Heart, My Family, Our Culture resources are designed to help prevent and manage heart disease and the associated risk factors in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander patients. These are available in two kits:
- One is for health professionals, comprising of an A4 flipchart for use with clients, an information book and two posters.
- The other is for patients and includes a cookbook, risk factor information sheets and a warning signs of heart attack fridge magnet.
For more information on the resources introduced on this page or to arrange a training session for your team, please contact Frances Turland. 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.
Last updated26 April 2020