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Learning about your condition and its treatment and understanding the importance of your role in attaining a quality, healthy life are key elements of obtaining the best outcome for your diagnosis. Of equal importance is talking with others who share your diagnosis and discussing your experiences which helps all participants better manage their individual cardiac condition.
The Exempla Saint Joseph Hospital Cardiac & Vascular Institute offers a variety of educational classes and tailored support groups to help you feel better faster.
Educational Classes
Educational classes are offered throughout the year for people affected by cardiovascular disease. Classes are led by qualified and experienced healthcare professionals.
- Education - We supply a wide range of information and classes to both you and your family to help you develop a healthy and positive lifestyle. For a current monthly schedule of classes, please call 303.318.1332.
- Classes are held at convenient times before and after your monitored exercise sessions
- Classes are free for patients and their family members
- Education Class Topics:
- Cardiac Nutrition I & II
- Stress Management
- Cardiac Medications
- Exercise and your Heart
- Diabetes and Heart Disease
- Cardiac Anatomy & Disease
Support Groups
We offer a monthly gathering for pulmonary patients and their family and friends. Members of this informal group share resources, information and wisdom, and offer emotional and moral support to one another.
Our Pulmonary Rehab support group is held the third Thursday of each month, from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm. There is no fee and no need to pre-register. However, we do recommend that you contact us prior to attending a group to verify the time and location, or if you have any other questions. Call 303.318.1333.
Healing Hearts Celebration
Twice each year the Cardiac & Vascular Institute holds a Healing Hearts Celebration. The event is for former open-heart patients (and their family members) who have had a procedure at ESJH within the last six months of the event date.
It is a night of celebration, where patients can come back and meet the nurses and caregivers who treated them during their hospital stay. They also have the chance to see and learn more about the instruments and techniques used during their procedure and even talk with the surgeons and staff who performed their surgery.
The next Healing Hearts Celebration is scheduled to be held in October 2010.
American Heart Association Information and Support
The American Heart Association (AHA) provides a great deal of valuable information about heart disease and prevention. Check their (http://www.americanheart.org/) or contact your local chapter (in Denver, call 303.369.5433).
Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in America, which is why the AHA created Go Red for Women (http://www.goredforwomen.org/), a program to create awareness about cardiac disease and prevention, thus enabling women to live stronger, longer lives.
Another AHA program is Mended Hearts (http://www.mendedhearts.org/), which offers services to heart patients through visiting programs, support group meetings and educational forums. The Mended Hearts mission is to "inspire hope in heart disease patients and their families."
Ask your nurse or other cardiac specialist for further details about these and other programs which offer information and support to those affected by cardiac and vascular illness.
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