Community Insig Presented by AMITA Health HED: Support group helps cardiac patients thrive Cardiac disease is not an illness of only the aged, says Nancy Partika, the founder and facilitator of the Gilbert Cardiac Support Group at AMITA Health Alexian Brothers Medical Center. Members of her Elk Grove Village group are as young as early 40s (and into their late 70s) And the XX chromosome pair is not getting you off the hook, either. "I have read a lot of research stating that women are now catching up to men in occurrenc of cardiac issues," the licensed professional counselor explained Named after her beloved father who died of a massive heart attack at a young age, the Gilbert Cardiac Support Group is sponsored by the Spiritual Care Services staying healthy and living longer and as Department and provides a caring place an LPC, Partika focuses on the head as for cardiac patients to share inrmation well as the heart. and feelings about their personal journey. can tell you that psychological issues Nancy Partika Many of them also need an opportunity are strongly linked to cardiac health," she to talk about the significant issues this noted. "Try to eliminate or lessen stress, has brought to their everyday lives," maintain happiness and connection to Partika said, "and members have told me others. Seek a professional if you have how thankful they are that AMITA Heath sleep issues, depression or anxiety. Also Alexian Brothers Medical Center has one attend to anger and control issues which such group in place and that they have can make you sick as well. According to this support in their community." research, almost half of cardiac risk is in About 600,000 Americans die of heart one's own control." attacks each year and support groups like Members of the Gilbert Cardiac Support Partika's address lifestyle changes that Group aren't required to share, and can can help participants live longer lives. just listen. Everything said in group Partika, who has a master's degree in remains confidential and members can psychology and runs the groups as a bring a support person with them. Some volunteer, begins a session by asking have been participating since the groups about issues members might have nception in 2014. It's the only cardiac experienced in the past week, then the group currently at any of the health group shares and discusses various system's 19 hospitals, but Partika hopes topics from relationships with family technology can help to include other and friends since the cardiac event to hospitals in the network. rehospitalizations, felt losses, lifestyle changes, sleep, stress and social support. Sessions run weekly for six weeks (from "I explain how depression, anxiety, 6:30 to 8 p.m) and there are four groups trauma, PTSD and anger and control per year. It's free and any cardiac patient issues are related to cardiac health as is welcome to join (you do not have to have well and we discuss solutions, she been a patient at any of the 19 AMITA explained. "We also talk about prognosis hospitals). Register by calling (855) and end-of-life issues The emotional aspects of having cardiac health issues can play a significant role in 692-6482 or for more information on the group, call (847) 981-6015 or visit www, amitahealth.org/CardiacSupportgroup. AMITA HEALTH