Handling the Heart Documentary
We are excited to announce the screening of Handling the Heart, a documentary by Dr Andrew Pike OAM, an award-winning documentary filmmaker who had open-heart surgery in 2011.
Handling the Heart is a documentary exploring patient experiences following major heart surgery - how to understand these experiences and how to live with them. Through the stories of four ex-patients, including the filmmaker himself, this documentary indicates the complex diversity of emotional and cognitive changes that often occur after open-heart surgery, simultaneous with physical recovery. In particular the film focuses on the phenomenon of ‘post-traumatic growth’ which often co-exists with psychological challenges and is triggered by them. All of the ex-patients in the film reveal aspects of ‘post-traumatic growth’ - marked changes in personal values and priorities, lifestyle, creativity, and social and family relationships, leading to a life that in many cases is profoundly different from the time before surgery. Through this composite story of existential crises and transformative experiences, the film also delves into the gulf that can exist between advances in medical science on one hand, and patient experiences on the other. In particular, the film raises the difficulties that the medical establishment often faces in responding to problems that are emotional, intangible and hard to quantify. As one ex-patient contemplates in the film, the "roller-coaster ride” that some patients experience after open-heart surgery is “invisible” to other people. The film is designed to make the invisible more apparent and to promote awareness, empathy and understanding.
Handling the Heart will screen on Sunday 19 June at 6.30pm on Compass on ABC TV.
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/
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 enroll 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)
Tuesday 4 October ‘Minding the Heart’ Maroondah (Melbourne)
Cardiac Counselling Clinic
Our clinic remains busy as we continue to provide psychological care to those in need. We have started to see some people in person; however, the option of telehealth sessions continues to be the main mode of contact. Please continue to access and recommend our services when needed. We can be reached via T: 03 9326 8544 or E: wellbeing@australianhearthealth.org.au
Alternatively, you could register your details via our website referral at https://www.australianhearthealth.org.au/clinic-appointment
For more information about our clinic please visit our website at https://www.australianhearthealth.org.au/cardiac-counselling-clinic
Share your story about our Cardiac Wellbeing Program
If you would like to share your story about how the services we offer through the Centre’s Cardiac Wellbeing Program have helped in your cardiac recovery, please email us at heart@australianhearthealth.org.au. Through our patient and donor newsletters, we can share your story with other cardiac event survivors and our supporters.