Understanding heart failure: finding support

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If you have heart failure, you may be working with several different health care providers to manage your condition. Understanding your care team and the roles they play

can help you get the support you need to keep your heart failure in check. You may be working with a cardiologist.

These are doctors who have gone to medical school and received specialized training in the treatment of diseases of the heart and cardiovascular system.

In addition to a cardiologist, you might also be working with a cardiac rehabilitation, rehab, specialist.

A cardiac rehab specialist has completed at least a bachelor's degree and is trained and certified in treating people with heart problems, like heart failure.

Cardiologists and cardiac rehab specialists also work on cardiac rehab teams, which may include nurses, physical and occupational

therapists, and specialists in nutrition, exercise, and mental health. These health professionals will

help you develop a customized program that meets your needs. Cardiac rehab is a program for anyone recovering

from a heart attack, heart failure, or other heart problems that require surgery or medical care.

It's a supervised program that includes physical activity, counseling to find ways to relieve stress and improve

mental health, and education about how to live healthier, like eating better, taking medicine as prescribed,

and ways to help you quit smoking. Cardiac rehab can have many short- and long-term health benefits, which can ultimately help you

improve your quality of life and prevent another cardiac event from happening. Learning how to coordinate your care with your care team

and other sources of support can help you manage your heart failure better. Of course, you'll find support in other areas, too.

Your friends, your family, and your community can all be great resources to draw from.