HERE TO HELP

MAGAZINEPo

ole

Hea

rt S

uppo

rt G

roup

www.

pooleh

sg.o

rg.u

kww

w.fa

cebo

ok.c

om/p

oolehs

g

New Members

There are only two classes of mankind in the world: doctors and patients.Rudyard Kipling

POOLE HEART SUPPORT GROUP MAGAZINEPoole Community Health Centre Shaftesbury Road, Poole BH15 2NT

Telephone: 01202 683363Telephone manned Mondays and Thursdays: 2:00-4:00pm

www.poolehsg.org.uk

PRESIDENT: Dr CHRISTOPHER BOOS MBBS, Dip IMC, RCS (Ed), MD, FRCPPRESIDENT EMERITUS: Dr. ANDREW MCLEOD

Vice Presidents: GEOFFREY WALKER OBE, JP, MA, RGN, PgDip, DipEd, FAETC. Dr. DIANE BRUCE MB, Bsc (Hons), FRCP MAGGIE RICHARDSON JIM WAINE

PHSG CONTACTSKEITH MATTHEWS Chairman & Magazine keith@ 01202 855001DAVID ANDERSON Secretary & Website david@ 01202 697376RITA HOLMES Treasurer rita@ 01202 743960JAN MESHER Office Manager jan@ 01202 250108DEREK POPE Membership Database derek@ 01202 889070ROBIN PRINGLE Exercise Co-ordinator robin@ 01202 884250LESLEY RICHARDS Lead Trainer lesley@ 01202 691339ROGER RIDOUT Purbeck Liaison roger@ 01929 423079GEOFF LAWRENCE Talks & Social Events geoff@ 01202 888438GEORGE LLEWELLYN Talks & Social Events geoll@ 01202 605455JUDY & DAVID DEADMAN Walking Group 01202 692369DAVE EVANS Clothing Sales 01202 602856PAM BAILEY BHF Representative 01202 574944JIM WAINE Founder and VP jim@ 01202 871532

All PHSG emails are @poolehsg.org.uk

3 PHSG New Members

This magazine is produced specially for all newand prospective members and gives details ofour activities. If you have already joined PHSG,then welcome. You will receive our QuarterlyMagazine regularly from now on. If you arethinking about joining, then please read what weoffer; we feel sure you’ll want to join to supportus as we support you in turn. You’ll find anapplication form tucked inside this issue. When you join, yourmembership fee also includes a nominated friend or partner who iswelcome to join in with all activities.Controlled exercise is the best way of maintaining your health and wecannot impress this on you enough. We appreciate that particularlynow, if you have just had a heart event, you might feel apprehensiveabout starting with us, but don’t be. All of our class instructors holdBACPR qualifications which means they are trained to supervise yousafely. Additionally, we will try to assign you to a buddy in your classwho will “show you the ropes.” You’ll quickly find that each class isfriendly and each has a camaraderie of its own.Most people in PHSG, including the committee, have had heartproblems and understand what you are going through. You are notunique! There is always someone to listen to you.

The Benefits of Belonging to PHSG

Chairman2018

PHSG New Members 4

Whatever your interests the chances are that someone in Poole HeartSupport Group shares your enthusiasm. How better to meet them thanjoining PHSG and getting involved in the many and varied activities that

we offer.Later in this magazine you will readabout all our activities including theExercise Sessions, and from thephotographs you can see that havingfun is as important as keeping fit.There is plenty of opportunity to chatwith your exercise buddy whilstexercising if you don't get too out ofbreath.

The Social Meetings and Chat Stops are also an ideal time to talk with oldfriends and meet new ones and take in the informative talks.The Walking Group offers a great chance to make good friends eitherduring the walk or in the pub afterwards. Whether you walk slowly orquickly there is certain to be another member who will keep your pace.The Cycle Club meets monthly throughout the year arranging short easycycle rides for fun and fitness.

Our Quarterly Magazine, published in March, June, September andDecember contains many items of interest to all our members. Should youhave a particular expertise, or just want to share an experience with othersthen the editor will be delighted to hear from you.

Join Us - Come and make Friends!

Looks like fun, doesn’t it! Our Christmas session.

Some of our trainersget together

5 PHSG New Members

Those completing the Rehabilitation Programme at Poole Hospitalare invited, as individuals or together with their partners/spouses, tobecome members of Poole Heart Support Group and to join us atone or more of the Exercise Venues. Also, you may be referred tous by your GP surgery.Complete and return the Application Form supplied with thisMagazine and an Exercise Recommendation Form together with anexplanatory letter will be sent from the office for you to complete andreturn. This Form will normally be signed off by the Hospitalrehabilitation team where you completed your programme, butotherwise by your GP. Then we will arrange a suitable exercisevenue and session for you.

Robin Pringle - Exercise Co-ordinator 01202 884250Roger Ridout - Purbeck Members 01929 423079

How to Join Us

The Chat Stop is a popular way of socialising and meeting up in thedaytime. All members are very welcome to come along for a chat,cup of tea or coffee, a biscuit or two, and the chance to talk to othermembers. We have regular speakers on topics of general interest ormedical matters. As a member you can come along and makeyourself known to the other members. We are always delighted tosee new faces as well as the “regulars”, so a big welcome to all.We hold evening meetings generally in February, May and Octoberat which we aim to have an informed talk by a health-careprofessional or an alternative interesting speaker.In the summer we often have an outdoor event such as a TreasureHunt.Our formal Annual Dinner is held in March.Our necessary AGM is held in April, but we try not to make it tooboring!

Our Social Programme

PHSG New Members 6

The History and Activities of thePoole Heart Support Group

This is a brief synopsis of the history of Poole HeartSupport Group which we refer to as the PHSG.The first meeting to study the feasibility of setting upa support group was on 27th January 1992. Fivepeople were at this meeting, the British HeartFoundation area support adviser, the SeniorCardiac Consultant at Poole Hospital, two sistersfrom the cardiac rehabilitation unit and an ex-patient,Jim Waine. The first committee or working partymeeting was on 2nd July 1992. At that meeting, theConstitution was agreed. The aims of the group areSocial meetings - Exercise programme - Walking Group - News Magazine -Enewsletter - Cycling Group.Some of the original founder members are still in the group and a few still on thecommittee. A tribute to our effectiveness perhaps.AdministrationWe have our own office with very strict procedures and training and its own officemanual. Our accounts at the end of each year are certified by a professionalaccountant and copies of the accounts are forwarded to the British HeartFoundation with the minutes of the AGM.Social ActivitiesSocial meetings are held regularly. The meetings are planned with a guestspeaker, often but not always on a medical topic, followed by tea and coffee sothat people can chat to one another and a raffle to help with our funds.Occasionally we have an outing instead.We also hold monthly “Chat Stop” meetings during the day except in the summer.This gives an opportunity to have a cup of tea and just meet other members,although we sometimes have some entertainment.Our Annual Dinner is generally held in the Spring.Quarterly MagazineOur full colour Magazine is produced quarterly. It contains contributions fromregular contributors such as Health Care Professionals in cardiology and notesabout our events. We aim to keep our readers up to date with the latestdevelopments, and also keep them amused with some pages of jokes!E- NewsletterWe encourage members to let us use their email address so that our secretarycan send out monthly news bulletins and reminders about events.

7 PHSG New Members

Exercise ProgrammeThe exercise programme we have established is based on studies from the USAby Dr. Dean Ornish on the need for exercise in people with heart relatedproblems. We include the recommendations of the British Association of CardiacRehabilitation, the Poole Rehabilitation Team and BHF studies. The venues andthe criteria we set were difficult to attain, but all of our trainers have qualificationsfrom the BACPR and the Group funds this for them. We have many venues nowwhere you can exercise and these are laid out on the next page. We keep thecost to as low as possible and the classes are private to PHSG and closedfrom the public where possible. Classes are run by a qualified instructors andpartners are encouraged to join in.Walking & Cycling GroupsThe Walking Group was set up in 1997. We were the first Heart SupportGroup in the country to be affiliated to the Ramblers Association. The CyclingGroup started in 2007 and is affiliated to the Cyclists' Touring Club.NHS Talks and MeetingsPHSG have a very good relationship with Poole Hospital and the CardiacGroup. Members of PHSG sit on the Practice Development Unit QualityService Group and Dorset Cardiac and Stroke Network meetings. We alsoattend Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit meetings and Cardiac Education Days atPoole Hospital where we introduce our Group to recovering patients.Members also attend the East Dorset Coronary Heart Disease LocalImplementation Team, which meets in conjunction with the Bournemouth andPoole Primary Care Trust.We also talk to patients and their partners at the end of the NHS fundedrehabilitation programme.British Heart FoundationWe are affiliated to the British Heart Foundation who help with support andinformation, one of our committee members represents the BHF. Please notethat BHF state there is a 70% better chance of recovery if you are a memberof a heart group.Arrhythmia Alliance - The Heart Rhythm Charity.We are also affiliated to the Arrhythmia Alliance and receive magazinearticles, e-newsletters, information leaflets and attend their local regionalmeetings.Our WebsiteOur website at www.poolehsg.org.uk gives up-to-date details, and our Facebook pageat facebook.com/poolehsg is available too.

PHSG New Members 8

As an extension to the exercise programme we haveformed a walking group and arrange many walksthroughout the year, these are normally centred

around a pub and vary in distance and time taken, although none aretoo strenuous. The walks are detailed each quarter in our Magazine.We walk every 10 days on Wednesdays and Saturdays from two to fivemiles. Some (most) of us round off the day's walk with a Pub lunch!All of the walks and meeting points are published in ourQuarterly magazine.

PHSG Walking Group

9 PHSG New Members

We ride once each month and rides are about 15 to 20miles long. The rides are free of charge and open toall members of the PHSG as long as your doctor

approves. For help, advice, weather check and bike maintenance beforeyou join us call Keith Matthews on 01202 855001

PHSG Cycling Group

We try not to do RAIN! If the weather looks “iffy”, memberstelephone beforehand to see if the ride is going ahead.

Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the futureof the human race. H. G. Wells

PHSG Cyclists enjoy life!

PHSG New Members 10

The purpose of cardiac rehabilitation is to restorepatients with CHD (Coronary Heart Disease) to optimalphysical and emotional status. There are 4 phases ofcardiac rehabilitation, each of which are described here.PHASE 1 – usually takes place in hospital afterexperiencing a heart event eg Heart Attack, BypassSurgery, Angiography or other cardiac problemsIn-patients will be seen by a Cardiac Specialist Nurse,who will try to answer any questions they may have.Appropriate advice will be given about your conditionprior to discharge from hospital.PHASE 2 – is your recovery period at homeYou will be contacted by a Cardiac RehabilitationSpecialist Nurse and given a nurse clinic appointment.At the clinic, the nurse will take your pulse and Blood Pressure. You will have a chance to ask anyquestions you may have about your heart condition and your recovery. The nurse will talk about anylifestyle changes you may need to make to help your recovery and long term health. You will beassessed as to your suitability to take part in the Phase 3 exercise programme.PHASE 3 – Poole Hospital offers either an 8 week exercise programme, or home programme basedon the Heart Manual. This option is usually chosen by those patients who do not wish to attend thegroup based exercise programme, or those not suitable to attend an exercise class. The HeartManual includes all the information a patient would receive if attending the exercise programme.The exercise programme is an 8 week course. It is run by a Cardiac Rehabilitation Specialist Nurse,a BACPR qualified Exercise Instructor and a Physiotherapy Assistant. Each session lasts approx 90minutes. The exercise component lasts about an hour, and is then followed by educational talkswhich include medication, diet, exercise, stress, relaxation, Q&A and an introduction to Poole HeartSupport Group.PHASE 4 – long term maintenance of physical activity and lifestyle changeTo be effective, the changes you have made in the previous 3 phases of Cardiac Rehabilitationshould be maintained for the rest of your life. By the time you reach phase 4, it is hoped you areready to exercise alone, or in a community based exercise group. Poole Heart Support Group offera variety of classes and support to help you continue with your long term health goals.Phases 1-3 are funded by the NHS. Phase 4 is available with PHSG at a very reasonable charge of£8 a year, whilst each exercise session you attend costs £3.

Lesley RichardsLead Trainer PHSG

Cardiac Rehabilitation

11 PHSG New Members

I am often asked by patients whether they couldstop their statins. The main patient concerns seemto relate to two main symptoms: memoryloss/confusion and muscle ache with these sideeffects taking a high profile in media reports and thepopular press.“Well of course you can stop them: it’s your bodyand your choice”. However, before you do, I wouldstrongly urge you to more closely consider theevidence. Statins (Simvastatin, Atorvastatin,Rosuvastatin and Pravastatin are the main four)have been the largest selling drugs of all time for areason. The proof of their efficacy in reducingvascular events (eg heart attacks by 25% or more

and stroke by 20% or more), cardiovascular (25% or more)and all-cause mortality (death by 20% or more) amongpatients either with established coronary disease or at highrisk of developing cardiovascular disease, is trulyoverwhelming and highly consistent. The ‘statin-benefit’relates to over 100,000 patients studied in randomisedplacebo controlled studies, which are the most robust form of

clinical evidence. In fact if anything there has been an increasing move towards its use inmoderate risk patients, based on more recent positive evidence from further trials.Well what about the issue of memory loss and confusion? This data is largely anecdotaland derived from adverse reporting and seems to occur in less than 5% of patients and iscompletely reversible. The limited data from randomised statin studies that investigatedtheir effects on mental function has not shown any deleterious effects. Muscle achewhich can affect up to 10% of statin users (though generally less than 5%) is almostalways a reversible side effect. Neither confusion/memory loss or muscle achenecessarily relate to all statins. Hence, just because you might have experienced any ofone of these adverse effects with a certain statin does not mean you will necessarilyexperience it with another agent. Hence, it may be necessary to try several differentstatins. In summary, at present I would strongly endorse the use of statins under theirlicensed indications, but I am not advocating putting them in the water supply. Adisabling stroke or death are not reversible and will not help and certainly damage yourmemory!Dr Christopher BoosPRESIDENT Poole Heart Support GroupConsultant Cardiologist, Poole Hospital NHS Trust

A Word about Statins

PHSG New Members 12

Magna Academy Sports Monday 12:00(Formerly Ashdown School) Tuesday 09:30 10:30 Wednesday 09:30 Friday 09:30 10:30

Canford School Sports Monday 09:00 10:00 Tuesday 09:00 10:00 Thursday 09:00 10:00 11:00 Friday 09:00 10:00

Ferndown Sports Monday 10:40 Wednesday 11:00

Hamworthy Fire Station Monday 10:00

“Hearts on Seats”, Broadstone Thursday 13:30

Images, Lower Parkstone Tuesday 11:30 Wednesday 11:00 Friday 11:00

Lytchett Minster Sports Tuesday 18:00 19:00 Thursday 18:30

“Step Down” QE Academy Wimborne Tuesday 14:30

Swanage, Burlington Sports Club Tuesday 14:30 15:30

Wareham, Purbeck Sports Club Monday 16:00 Thursday 11:00

If you are not exercising with us and would like to startplease call Robin Pringle or Roger Ridout.

Contact details are on the inside front cover

Our “Hearts on Seats” is designed for the less physically able.The “Step Down” class is designed for members with more complicated heart problems and isconducted by the Poole NHS rehabilitation team in collaboration with Poole Heart Support Group.

PHSG Exercise VenuesAll Sessions last 1 hour

13 PHSG New Members

Exercise is vitally important to heart complaint sufferers and it is for thisreason that we have negotiated special terms with sports centres in thearea. Sessions have been arranged to suit most peoples' requirements.You can see from the accompanying pictures that exercising can be funand we try to maintain that happy atmosphere at all times. You need notbe afraid that the gymnasium will be full of young lithe athletes. Lets faceit, most of us have forgotten what a gym is and what to do when we getthere. Thankfully we have trained instructors looking after us who knowhow far we can go without injuring ourselves and they are a great comfortin helping us back to health.To start an exercise programme you will be sent full details when youbecome a member and will be asked to obtain approval from your GP orthe hospital cardiac rehabilitation team before taking part.

PHSG Exercise Sessions

A group of exercisers atour Canford School venue

PHSG New Members 14

If you have a heart condition, you should be aware that obtaining travelInsurance is more involved than normal as you must declare your conditionso that the policy is completely validated. Remember, the EHIC card whileuseful, is not enough on its own.You can get travel insurance if you have a heart condition, but you have to shoparound. We advise that you consult with your GP before buying health insurance.You may find that the type and cost of cover offered will vary, depending on yourindividual condition and where you are travelling. When you contact thecompanies, you may be asked to call a medical screening number, who will giveyou a reference to quote to the Insurance company. It is important to read anysmall print on any policy you are offered.To get insurance, you will need to make a full health declaration. This meansproviding detailed information of conditions and medications going back years.These details will all be checked if you later try to make a claim. Any omissions ormistakes can be used as grounds to refuse your claim. This is equally true forconditions other than heart disease.If your heart condition is stable and well controlled and you feel well, generallythere should be no reason why you can't fly. But if you've recently had a heartattack, or heart surgery, or have recently been in hospital with any other heartcondition you should check with your doctor before flying. It you have a heartcondition it is best not to travel to countries which are very hot or very cold, or toplaces at a high altitude. Avoid accommodation that is on a steep hill or slope,unless you are confident that you are fit enough for that level of activity. Find outwhat local transport is available and how close the local facilities are.Useful Organisations:British Heart FoundationFact sheet on insurance that you can accesswww.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/living-with-a-heart-condition/insurance

British Insurance Brokers' Association14, Bevis Marks, London EC3A 7NTConsumer Helpline 0901 8140015 - (calls charged)enquiries@biba.org.uk or website www.biba.org.uk

The British Association of Insurers51, Gresham Street, London EC2V 7HQ0207 600 3333 or info@abi.org.uk or website www.abi.org.uk

Poole Heart Support Group Members have a lot of experience at the best placesto shop for health insurance and you’ll find are more than willing toshare their experiences.

Travel Insurance - IMPORTANT!

15 PHSG New Members

ADVERTISEMENT

PHSG New Members 16

All problems have to be faced in life,they do not just go away,particularly when it involves yourhealth. The more you discuss andunderstand them the less fearfulthey become. You may havesuffered angina, a heart attack,undergone open heartsurgery or been toldyou require it.Whatever it maybe there arealways questionsthat the patient,spouse, family orcarer will ask.Typically; “SoWhat Now?”, and“Why Has ThisHappened to Me?”.These may be askedopenly but more often thannot it is usually to themselves,which is not a good thing.Don't bottle feelings up, bring themout into the open. The numerouspeople that contact us and ask suchquestions do so out of deep concernfor their future. In fact not only theirsbut in many cases their families aswell. We are not saying ignore thepossibilities which are mainlymedical, but keep them inperspective.You should plan your day to day lifeas normal, including holidays. Ifunsure about the medical aspectconsult your doctor. There shouldbe no reason for you to radically

alter your lifestyle. Obviously it mustbe within any medical or physicallimitations that may have beenimposed on you. Alter the pace atwhich you do things; if you normallytake 10 minutes to walk to a doctorsappointment allow yourself extratime so you do not have to rush.

Apply that to thejobs you do aswell. Don't rushyour day to daytasks. If youcan't finish themtoday there isalways tomorrow.

In fact it is soundadvice even for

those who have notsuffered heart

problems. As far asphysical abilities go your

body is a good barometer formeasuring your capabilities. If

you overdo things it will soon let youknow, so don’t ignore it, stop andrest.Whatever the problem you mayhave had remember one importantpoint, it is not how fit you look toothers that is important, it is howyou feel within yourself that counts.Following heart problems you do nothave to prove yourself to anyonebut you.

Coping after Heart Problems

Extracted from “Heartlink” magazine with thanks.

17 PHSG New Members

6 9 1 76 8 4

3 7 68 4 3 2

3 1 2 4 82 9 51 3 65 7 94 7 5 8

SUD

OKU

by

Der

ek

Doctor, Doctor! My body hurts wherever I touch it. Everywhere!“Impossible!” cries the doctor, “but show me.”The patient pushed with his finger on his left shoulder and screamed, thenhe pushed his elbow and screamed even more. He pushed his knee andscreamed; likewise he pushed his ankle and screamed. Everywhere hetouched made him scream.“I thought so,” the doctor said, “Your finger is broken.”

After being married for thirty years, a wife asked her husband to describe her.

He looked at her for a while, then said, “You are A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K”.

She asked him “What does that mean?”

He said “Adorable, Beautiful, Cute, Delightful, Elegant, Foxy, Gorgeous, Hot.”

She smiled happily and said “Oh, that’s so lovely … what about I, J, K?”

He said “I’m Just Kidding!”

The swelling in his eye is beginning to go down.

Keep Your Brain Activeand your Sense of Humour Alive

It is

ver

y im

porta

nt to

kee

p yo

ur b

rain

act

ive

so o

urM

agaz

ine

alw

ays

feat

ures

som

e pu

zzle

s. It

isim

porta

nt to

o to

laug

h at

life

so

we

incl

ude

page

s of

joke

s to

o. W

e ho

pe y

ou e

njoy

them

!

PHSG New Members 18

Advice from the Poole Hospital Cardiac Rehab Team.1. If your chest pain is unbearable dial 999 for an

ambulance. Otherwise - sit down, stay calm, takeyour GTN if it has been prescribed, and wait 5 minutes.

2. If the pain has gone - rest, if you are still in pain - repeat the GTN, wait 5more minutes.

3. If the chest pain has still not subsided when you have used the GTNtwice, dial 999 to call an ambulance.

4. If the chest pain has still not subsided, take another 2 puffs of GTN andwait for the ambulance to arrive.

Do please note: If you are taken into hospital and the pain has subsided, do notworry. You did the right thing by calling the ambulance.If you find usage of your GTN Increasing, you are experiencing chest pain at rest,or it wakes you durinq the night, it is important that you see your GP to reviewyour medication.

The Pain ChartWhat to do if you get chest pain

The Poole Cardiology Rehab Team

I enjoy convalescence. It is the part that makes illness worthwhile.George Bernard Shaw.

19 PHSG New Members

Cholesterol is a fat like substance produced naturally in theliver from fats eaten in the diet. It is found in many parts ofthe body including the skin, muscles, nerves, liver, heart andthe brain. Cholesterol is vital for normal functioning of thebody, its roles include hormone production and fat digestion.Only a small amount of cholesterol is required for thesefunctions, any excess cholesterol is deposited in the arteries,which can lead to blockages. There are two main forms ofcholesterol which are transported in the blood. HDL, the socalled “good” cholesterol, is taken away from the body'stissues back to the liver where it is broken down. LDL, the socalled “bad” cholesterol is carried to the cells where theexcess can build up and block arteries.The recommended cholesterol levels are:● TOTAL Cholesterol: less than 4mmol / litre● HDL Cholesterol: greater than 1mmol / litre● LDL Cholesterol less than 2mmol / litre

A diet which is associated with the lowest cardiovascular risk should be based on the following:Intake of saturated fat to <10% of total fat intake (preferably in lean meat and low fat dairy products).Reducing saturated fat intake from animal sources also reduces mono-unsaturated fat levels .● Replace saturated fat with MUFA (mono-unsaturated fat). Use olive oil, rapeseed oil and spreads

based on these oils (NICE, 2014).● It is important to remember that all fats and oils are high in calories, so even the unsaturated fats

should only be eaten in small amounts (Cardioprotective diet NICE, 2014).● Consume five portions of fruit and vegetables daily and regular eating of whole grains and nuts.● Keep salt consumption to less than 6g/day● Limit alcohol intake to less than 21 units/week for men and less than 14 units a week for women.● Avoid or reduce consumption of: Processed meats or commercially produced foods which tend to

be high in salt and trans fatty acids (TFA); Refined carbohydrates, such as white bread,processed cereals; Sugar sweetened beverages; Calorie rich, but nutritionally poor, snacks suchas sweets, cakes, and crisps.

The evidence from epidemiologic clinical and mechanistic studies is consistent in finding that therisk of Coronary Heart Disease is reduced when SFA's (saturated fatty acids) are replaced withPUFA's (polyunsaturated fatty acids). The replacement of 1% of energy from SFA's with PUFA'slowers LDL cholesterol and is likely to produce a reduction in CHD incidence of better than 2-3%.Insufficient evidence exists to judge the effect of CHD risk of replacing SFA's with MUFA's.

Cholesterol and Good DietBy Noelle Brennan, Registered Dietitian, Poole Hospital

Noelle

PHSG New Members 20

This is an overview of some of the more commonmedicines that may have been prescribed foryour heart and is intended to give you a betterunderstanding of how they work and what sideeffects you may expect to see. The information givenhere is only a guide to some of these drugs and hopefullywill answer some of the more common questions. It isimportant to remember that this is your heart and it is important that themore you know the better you are in control. If there is anything you areunsure of or would like to know more about please talk to your doctor orpharmacist for information and advice.Aspirin is used to make the blood less sticky so that plaques will not stickto blood vessel walls stopping the blood flowing so well. It will be given toa patient after a heart attack and may also be prescribed to prevent heartdisease in patients considered at risk. It needs to be taken with food toprevent indigestion and should be used with caution if a patient hasasthma or has had an ulcer. Enteric-coated aspirin is available and canhelp protect the stomach against side effects.Clopidogrel (Plavix) may be used as an alternative for patients who can-not take aspirin or in patients who are awaiting a surgical procedure suchas a stent. It is usually taken for 1 year post procedure unless told other-wise by your consultant.Ticagrelor This may be used as an alternative to Clopidogrel whenadmitted for emergency treatment of heart attack and is usually taken for 1year post procedure.If you are taking a combination of Aspirin withclopidogrel/Ticagrelor, you may be prescribed an anti-acid calledOmeprazole or Lansoprazole, this is to help protect your stomach.Beta Blockers (Atenolol, Propranolol, Bisoprolol, Metoprolol) block theeffects of adrenaline on the heart and can slow down the heart rate so thatthe heart doesn’t have to work so hard to get blood properly round thebody. They can be used after a heart attack to help prevent another oneand can also be used to treat high blood pressure, angina, heart failure,irregular heartbeat or anxiety. They are usually prescribed once a day inthe morning and should not be stopped suddenly. All beta blockers areequally effective but there may be differences in the number or type of sideeffects they cause, so if you are worried do speak to your doctor.

Medicines CommonlyPrescribed for your Heart

21 PHSG New Members

ACE Inhibitors (Ramipril, Lisinopril, Enalapril, Perindopril) are drugs tostop the action of a substance found in the body which causes bloodvessels to get narrower so they allow blood to flow around the body morefreely. They can be used after a heart attack to help the heart recover, totreat heart failure and to treat high blood pressure.Some of the reported side effects from these drugs include low bloodpressure which may be experienced as light-headedness on standing,persistent dry cough which is often worse at night, rash, sore throat,sinusitis or stomach upset. These side effects may go away after one totwo weeks, but if they continue and are troublesome do see your doctor.There is also a slightly newer group of drugs (Angiotensin II Antagonists)which act in a very similar way to the ACE inhibitors in treating high bloodpressure but may cause less coughing. These include Losartan,Candesartan, Irbesartan, Telmisartan, and Valsartan.Statins (Simvastatin, Atorvastatin, Pravastatin, Rosuvastatin) stop thebody from making too much cholesterol. High cholesterol is a recognisedrisk factor in cardiovascular disease and the aim of treatment with a statinis to reduce a patient's cholesterol level. Statins can be used to preventheart attacks in patients who are considered to be at risk based onassessments of their blood pressure, cholesterol levels, if they havediabetes, their smoking habit and their family history. They are also usedafter a heart attack to help prevent a further attack, after a stroke and aftera coronary bypass graph or angioplasty.They are used with caution in a patient with liver disease or high alcoholintake and blood tests need to be taken every six months to check liverfunction.Reported side effects are, headache, abdominal pain, flatulence,diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting. These should disappear within the firstcouple of weeks. More rarely seen is the reversible side effect ofunexplained deep muscle pain and if this is experienced it should bereported to the doctor. Most statins are more effective if taken at night.Other Treatments: Nitrates (Isosorbide Mononitrate, GTN spray) used toprevent angina. Calcium channel blockers (Nifedipine, Diltiazem) areused to dilate blood vessels and prevent angina. Warfarin to prevent theformation of clots. Digoxin and Amiodarone are used to treat irregularheartbeats. Diuretics (Frusemide, Amiloride) to remove fluid and saltsfrom the body.

PHSG New Members 22

The effects of music can be pretty amazing. Nowdoctors have found that prescribing music canimprove heart health and lower cholesterollevels. Patients who listen to 30 minutes a day of

their favourite music not only become more relaxed, butalso gain physical benefits, as music appears to expand andunclog blood vessels. It is thought that music triggers the

release of nitric oxide, which helps prevent the build up ofblood clots and 'bad' cholesterol. It doesn't matter what

type of music people listen to, they can simply choose whatevermusic they enjoy.

Music for a Healthy Heart

Our Quarterly MagazineWe publish our full colour Magazine each Quarter which is posted free toall members. It offers regular updates on progress at Poole Hospital,Updates on cardiology and drug routines, as well as articles, advice andjokes! It is the best way we keep in touch.

Two relaxation sessions are available as podcast files and canbe downloaded from the PHSG website. Load them on an

iPlayer and drift away! www.poolehsg.org.uk

T-Shirts £8.00 Polo Shirts£12.00

Sweat Shirts£14.00

This exclusive range of clothes areavailable from the PHSG

Sizes Small, Medium, Large& Extra Large.

Round or V-Neck Ts

Contact: Dave Evans01202 602856 (or ask your trainer)

Come to Gym in thesmart gear!

PHSG Logo ClothingV-neck T-Shirts too

Hill View Typesetting 01202 855001Printed by Top Coat 01202 820959

WHAT TO DO IF YOU BECOME UNWELLMedical help and advice is available if you become unwell when yourGP surgery is closed. You should:Dial 999 or go to A & E as soon as possible if you are worried about thesudden onset of new symptoms or have suffered a serious Injury orillness.A & E departments are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They arefor a critical or life threatening situation, for example chest pain,suspected heart attack, severe breathing difficulties, severe loss ofblood, loss of consciousness, deep wounds and suspected brokenbones. They are not for minor injuries or health problems, nor analternative to seeing your GP or for a ‘second opinion’ if you havealready seen your GP.You can also call Non Emergency Care on 111 if you are feeling unwellbut not facing a life-threatening emergency and you are unsure what todo. Use 111 if you need information about finding a pharmacist, dentistor other service and cannot wait until your GP surgery opens. Thisservice replaces the old Dorset Out of Hours Medical Service.Go to an NHS Walk-In Centre or Minor Injuries Unit with a minorinjury or illness. Find the nearest one by calling 111

REMEMBER IF YOU HAVE CHEST PAINDIAL 999 WITHOUT DELAY

Poole Heart Support Group, Poole Community Health CentreShaftesbury Road, Poole BH15 2NT

Affiliated to the British Heart Foundation andArrhythmia Alliance - The Heart Rhythm Charity