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• Blog | When the heart gets heavy: Emotional Wellbeing and Heart Conditions

Top recovery tips for young cardiac patients
Read blog here 

When the heart gets heavy: emotional wellbeing and heart conditions
Read blog here

Learning that heart disease can strike at any age 
Read heart story here

I’m a mum and I survived a heart attack
Read heart story here 

From diagnosis at 37 to heart surgery, rehab and now
​Read heart story here 

Lessons learned: recovering from open heart surgery
​Read heart story here 

Living life on my terms as a young adult with heart disease
​Read heart story here 

Exercising for the heart and soul
Read blog here 

How a pacemaker at 34 saved my life
Read heart story here 

Cardiac arrest at 33: the challenges of restarting your life
Read heart story here

Cardiac arrest at 26: adjusting to a new ‘normal’
Read heart story here 

Daniel's cardiac arrest helped him discover another problem
Read heart story here 

David’s shock heart failure diagnosis was just the start of a tough journey
Read heart story here 

Cardiomyopathy; another health curve ball for Ange
​Read blog here

Three young people living with heart disease share how they are dealing with COVID-19
Read heart story here 

Looking after your emotional health in uncertain times
​Read blog here

Sharing scars and more on Valentine’s Day
Read heart story here 

Love mends broken hearts on Valentine’s Day
Read heart story here 

At the heart of Mother’s Day: Three people living with heart disease share how their Mums helped them face their health challenges
​Read blog here

Sami Kennedy's heart story: Aiming high after a stroke
Read heart story here 

Overcoming uncertainty: Bianca Beetham’s heart story
Read heart story here

Finding her voice: Sophie Nester’s heart story
Read heart story here 

Finding support and connection after a heart attack: Nicola Surbevski's heart story
Read heart story here

Finding a new purpose: Geoff Lester's heart story
Read heart story here

Family planning, interrupted: Cara Curan's heart story 
Read heart story here

• Find out more about joining the advisory group
• Connect with the advisory group members
• Provide feedback or suggestions for the program
• Share your story and experiences

Alicia

Alicia lives with a congenital heart condition and has had open heart surgery at 4 years old and again at 29 years old. As one of the founding members of Supporting Young Hearts, Alicia is committed to openly sharing her story and experiences to help others.

‘Having open heart surgery when you’re young can confuse you and leave you feeling lonely, even when those around you are doing their best to understand. Supporting Young Hearts offered me information, purpose and most importantly, connection’. 

You can read more about Alicia’s story here.

Ange

Ange was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy at 38 years old and describes the Supporting Young Hearts community as having your own wolfpack. ‘If you’re having a bad time, you can go into the group, and you will be surrounded by people who understand’. Ange is passionate about helping other young people connect with each other and with the support they need.

You can read more about Ange’s story here.

Marcus

Marcus had a heart attack at 36 years old, followed by open heart surgery.

Marcus found joining the community as the place where he met his two ‘heart heroes’. ‘The support and information they gave me to go through open heart surgery calmed my nerves and guided me step by step. I can’t express how much this helped me get through such a tough time’.

Marcus is passionate about paying it forward and helping other younger people through their heart journey.

You can read more about Marcus’ story here.

Nicola

Nicola experienced a heart attack at 38 years old. She has since had multiple stents inserted to unblock her artery.

After meeting other young people who have heart conditions, Nicola realised she is not alone. ‘I have met many beautiful souls, people who continue to support my journey; we all share a unique heart story or experience. It’s amazing who you meet.’ Nicola is dedicated to raising awareness of the warning signs of a heart attack, particularly for women and the challenges of living with a heart condition at a younger age.

Nicola enjoys getting out in nature with her family (including her two young boys) and going on hikes and bike rides.

You can read more about Nicola’s story here.

Goran

More details to follow.

Melanie

More details to follow.

Caitee 

Caitee was diagnosed as having Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Vein Drainage at 26 years old. This was picked up early and by chance. When Caitee was younger, she had had some abnormal findings on scans, but they were in the grey area and never followed up. Her condition was picked up by a different cardiologist during her follow-ups as an adult. Caitee is lucky to have been given her diagnosis prior to any irreversible damage occurring to her heart.

On the other hand, Caitee faces the question of whether to operate or not to operate. There are many different opinions, and it is hard to know for sure because no one can predict the future! Caitee spends most of her workday with other heart patients and can so relate to the whirlwind of emotions associated with having cardiac investigations. She places a lot of value in the importance educating patients on what is involved in the tests and what kind of information it gives the treating doctors. 

Caitee is excited to join the Supporting Young Hearts Advisory group, where she can continue to support and educate other young people living with heart conditions.

Let’s talk about sex and intimacy! 

Steps to improve your sexual health 

Communicating with your partner

It’s important to communicate with your partner about your sexual concerns. 

Many patients are fearful or anxious about resuming sex or have concerns about sexual performance after a cardiac event.  

Physical changes in appearance, surgical scars, and body image concerns are also common and may interfere with sexual activity. For patients in a partnered relationship, open and honest communication with your partner about your concerns is an essential first step toward resuming intimacy. Understanding each other’s sexual interests and concerns will allow you and your partner to develop a plan of action that meets both of your needs for intimacy, emotional connectedness, and physical affection. 

Returning to intimacy can be a slow process, but you need to start somewhere. Approach this problem as a couple, and try to keep an open mind to new ideas and experiences. Start by spending time with your partner in ways that focus on physical affection without the expectation of sex. This will help create a romantic mood that leads to a greater sense of emotional closeness and relationship satisfaction.  

If your partner is anxious about resuming sex, listen to their concerns. Try starting off slowly by  holding hands, cuddling, or kissing. As you and your partner become increasingly comfortable with resuming sexual activity, you can gradually incorporate more intimate activities into your relationship. 

Family planning; what do you need to do to prepare? 

A diagnosis, whether congenital condition or something sudden like a heart attack, this issue can get thrown up into the air.  

• You may ask can I have children?  
• How will this impact my heart health or recovery? 
• Will my children have a similar heart condition? 

Yes, there may be so many questions, but first it's important to stop and talk this through with your partner or loved one. Starting a family is a big decision, even if you don’t have a heart condition.   

You also to have this conversation with your doctor about your heart medicines. Some medicines are not safe to take when you are trying to get pregnant. They will also be able to help identify if you may be a high-risk pregnancy due to your heart condition. If you are, they can then help you find relevant health professionals who can support you through this journey.  They may also be able to help you talk through budget as well.  

Add in something about having these conversations early with your cardiac team (even if you are young and it is not on the radar yet…find out as much information as you can)  

Your sex drive: Can heart medicines affect your sex drive? 

• For men, the most frequently reported sexual problems include reduced sexual desire and difficulty achieving and maintaining an erection. 
• And for Women, you are more likely to experience decreased sexual desire, problems with orgasm, vaginal dryness, and pain during intercourse. 
• It is important to talk this through with your health professional, for example your cardiologist, as they may be able to review your medications and see if there are other options. 
• For people who have had heart surgery, cardiac rehabilitation can help both physically and provide emotional support to help increase confidence and decrease anxiety. 
• Having this discussion with your providers to address frequently asked questions will allow you to receive accurate information, suggestions, or professional recommendations to help you overcome these issues. 

• Emotional distress 
• Fear that it is not safe to be sexually active after a recent heart event or surgery. 
• Relationship problems 

My partner is scared to touch me after my surgery, and I am a bit scared to have sex and get intimate too.  

Communicating with your health professional 

The American Heart Foundation has some tips on how to start the discussion with your health professional: 

More helpful resources: