Post-surgery scarring following a cardiac event
Written by Justin Kelly, Psychologist (Clinical Registrar), Cardiac Counselling Clinic, ACHH
Post-surgery scars
For some people who have experienced a cardiac event that requires open-heart surgery, the effect of post-surgery body scarring can have a significant impact on their wellbeing. For many, the scar is there to stay. This means that acceptance and compassion may be an important step on the road to recovery. For others the scar may be thought about with pride and can become a symbol of strength for the individual. The meaning that is made from the scar will be different for everyone. Scarring following heart surgery may also affect a person’s self-esteem and confidence, and this can lead to behaviours such as avoidance of some activities (e.g., swimming) and other unhelpful coping mechanisms that can prolong anxiety.
Body image
Body image is defined as the perception of one’s own body, be it thoughts, feelings, or beliefs about how one’s body looks and functions. Body image develops in childhood and evolves over the life span and can be affected by certain key life experiences, such as surgery. Body dissatisfaction can affect all people and tends to develop earlier in life and tends to be more likely in girls and women, although also affects boys and men. The way in which people arrive at a healthy body image may vary. It can be important to remember that unrealistic beauty standards pervade media and that this can affect body image. Comparisons and appearance-based talk by those around us can also lead to body image dissatisfaction. When feeling down or anxious it might be difficult to focus on all the things that your body can do rather than what it can’t. Overall, a positive body image is a very important ingredient in maintaining one’s wellbeing.
Seeking support
While not everyone experiences body image issues after a cardiac event, it is one concern that some cardiac patients bring to counselling. There are many others. If you have experienced a cardiac event and are seeking support in your recovery, we have a team of psychologists at our Cardiac Counselling Clinic who are here to help. You can make an appointment by calling 03 9326 8544 or emailing us at wellbeing@australianhearthealth.org.au . You may also like to explore some resources related to body image issues which are available at the Butterfly Foundation https://butterfly.org.au/
Training update
Dr Susie Cartledge PhD RN is one of the team of presenters who help the ACHH team to deliver our high-quality training. Dr Cartledge was a presenter at our recent ACHH Cardiac Rehabilitation and Secondary Prevention training program, held in November 2021. Dr Cartledge is a Heart Foundation Postdoctoral and Senior Research Fellow at Monash University School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, a Registered Nurse and the current President of the Victorian chapter of the Australian Cardiovascular Health and Rehabilitation Association. Dr Cartledge is passionate about improving cardiac rehabilitation program quality, along with enhancing referral to and attendance at cardiac rehabilitation programs.
Dr Cartledge’s presentation on ‘Cardiac Rehabilitation in the Telehealth Era’ was very well received by the participants, who hailed from across Australia and New Zealand. In this session, participants appreciated the opportunity to discuss how cardiac rehabilitation programs had adapted to the challenges presented by Covid19.
The gratitude of participants for this focused and practical presentation was evident with one participant commenting “Thank you for this helpful, very relevant session” describing the presentation as both “interesting and interactive”. Another participant explained that the session showed them “that we can still provide a good service, in a different way through the use of telehealth”. The session provided opportunity for participants to reflect on practice changes. One participant enthused about the “fantastic discussions, ideas and tips” while another commented “there was lots of information in this session which made me think deeper about what I was already doing”
Some of the cardiac rehabilitation professionals attending our training program commented that the benefits of telehealth went way beyond the challenges of the pandemic, with one participant commenting that “working in a regional area, having telehealth as an option for clients when travel is prohibitive will be useful.”
The Centre recognizes the excellent contribution of Dr Cartledge to our training, particularly her skills in facilitating discussion between course participants, enabling opportunities for learning, along with sharing and networking between attendees. You can hear Dr Cartledge again at the next ACHH Cardiac Rehabilitation and Secondary Prevention training program, scheduled for November 2022. Go to our website to find out more and to register www.australianhearthealth.org.au
Winter Wonderland of Activity
Written by Dr Michelle Rogerson, Senior Research Fellow, ACHH
Winter is a time of the year that you either love or hate.
For many Australians, it is full of dark mornings, short days, cold weather, wind chill, layers of clothing and warm jackets. Maintaining your motivation to exercise in the winter, especially for those living in the southern states, can be challenging. Having activities that you enjoy and can maintain as well as having a ‘plan B’ is important, especially when the weather is less than favourable. It is not always easy to continue with your usual summer activities in winter; the activities you choose and how they fit into your routine may need a bit of tweaking. Try to be creative and flexible with what you choose.
Some of these pointers might help you to continue to be physically active in the winter months of the year:
·Create an at home circuit. Create an exercise circuit at home with simple equipment such as a skipping rope, step, hand weights, resistance bands. You can even use tins of food as weights or body weight exercises to provide resistance.
·Try using equipment. Consider hiring/borrowing a treadmill, stationary bike, stepping machine or cross trainer over winter to use on a regular basis or ‘as needed’. Catch up on your favourite show or listen to a Podcast/music at the same time as you exercise in the comfort of your own home.
·Join up. Consider signing up at the local indoor pool, gym or recreation centre, or enrol in a local community health exercise program, such as Yoga or Pilates.
·Find a friend. Walk with a friend/family member/dog if walking on your own in the dark is not desirable. A walking group can also provide companionship.
·Use technology. Access the internet, an app or even a DVD to allow you to engage in an exercise session at home. There are so many options to choose from, find something you will enjoy.
·Track your progress. Using a pedometer or other device such as a smart watch or app on your phone to monitor your steps, energy expenditure and even heart rate. This can help with motivation and monitoring.
·Sit less. Don’t forget to also limit the amount of time spent sitting. Try to break up longer periods of sitting and inactivity with bouts of stretching, standing and lightly moving around.
Exercising in the winter can be a refreshing and uplifting activity, providing a real physical and mental health break. It can be a great opportunity to decrease lethargy, increase concentration, improve sleep and maintain social connections, and of course maintaining good physical and mental wellbeing.
‘Minding the Heart’ Community Events
Written by Dr Michelle Rogerson, Senior Research Fellow, ACHH
Now that Covid-19 restrictions have lifted, we have been so pleased to be able to get back into the community again to present our ‘Minding the Heart’ sessions. Together with the Yarra Ranges Men’s Health Network, we have conducted two sessions in the east of Melbourne (Lilydale and Healesville) and have received support from active community groups such as the Senior Citizens, U3A and Men’s Shed.
Our session involves raising awareness of the relationship between the heart and the mind, emphasising the importance of seeking help for yourself or your loved one if emotional and psychological issues persist after a cardiac event. We also screened the Ronin Films movie, ‘Pumphead’ which explores the psychological, emotional, social and cognitive experiences of 8 people after cardiac surgery.
We have received wonderful feedback on the sessions and it has been great to see people coming together again, face-to-face and sharing their experiences with one another.
For those local to the Melbourne area, we are having two further ‘Minding the Heart’ sessions in the next few months. Please contact Michelle at michelle.rogerson@australianhearthealth.org.au if you would like to attend and we will provide further details. We would love to see you there!
Tuesday 26 July ‘Minding the Heart’ Knox (Melbourne)
Cardiac Counselling Clinic
We have some good news to start off the year, the Australian Centre for Heart Health has recently obtained additional office space to accommodate the growing needs of the Cardiac Counselling Clinic. While services will continue to be provided via Telehealth (both online and by telephone), there is some flexibility if there is a preference to attend in person. Requests are carefully considered and only available for those clients residing in the Melbourne metropolitan area. Any clients attending will need to follow strict covid safe practices.
Additionally, we would also like to warmly welcome our new Master of Psychology student, Ms Betul Mercandagi who will be completing her clinical placement with us, an essential requirement of the Clinical Master’s Program at Federation University.
For more information about our counselling clinic please visit our website at https://www.australianhearthealth.org.au/cardiac-counselling-clinic