WELCOME TO THE HEART FAILURE COMMUNITY

[Momto3]

WELCOME TO THE HEART FAILURE FORUM!

Were you recently diagnosed with heart failure?  Are you worried about how it will affect your life, and the lives of those around you?  Scheduled for tests, procedures or appointments?  Feeling overwhelmed, frightened and/or confused?  Do you need information on caring for a loved one with heart failure?  If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you have found the right place!  

The Congestive Heart Failure community is comprised of a group of caring people who share an interest in learning more about heart failure.  Some of our members have been living with heart failure for many years and others have just been diagnosed.  Regardless of what brings you here, welcome!  Here are a few suggestions for making the most of your visits.

1)  Be sure to check out the "Health Pages."  The link is in the upper right hand corner of your screen.  “Health Pages” address a wide range of topics relevant to cardiology.  Among the pages is list of common cardiology acronyms, a great resource!

2)  Please join the community.  Once you have had a chance to look around, why not create a profile and tell us a little about yourself?  Your profile can be as simple or as complex as you like.  In any event, you will meet people from around the world! You will have the opportunity to learn from others, ask questions, and share with those who are just beginning this journey.

3)  Consider posting on a current thread or staring one of your own.  Don’t worry - you’ll get the hang of it very quickly.  You’ll find that you will want to come back often to check up on your new friends.  If you’ve got something on your mind, please don’t be shy.  There are NO dumb questions and we are all here to learn.**

4)  Get acquainted with other members.  There are several ways to “Add a friend” but one of the easiest is to scroll over the member’s name and click on “Add a friend”.

5)  Consider keeping a journal.  Your journal can be private, public, or available only to those people you have added as a friend.  Journals are a great way to share your story, frustrations, experiences, history, etc.  You may be surprised at how many people can relate to your story.

6)  Want to speak privately to another member?  Send a private message (PM) by scrolling over the member’s name and clicking on “Send Message”.

7)  Only have a minute and want to welcome a member, or send good luck wishes?  Scroll over the member’s name and click on “send a note.”  Unlike PMs, everyone can view “Notes”.

8)  Once you’ve created a profile, click on “My MedHelp” (indicated by a little red heart at the top of your screen) and check out the many great features and setting options.

9) Lastly, we would like to point you to the new ‘Cholesterol and Blood Pressure trackers.  You can add them to your profile by clicking on "My MedHelp" (top) and then click on "Trackers".  Follow the steps to add the tracker and begin using it today!  Keeping track of your cholesterol and blood pressure is a great start to managing your heart health!!

**Please read the Terms of Use at the bottom of your screen.  There are a few general posting guidelines that are for the benefit of all community members.
  
  Please do not hijack another member’s thread.  If your comments are relevant with the current discussion, post away.  If you have a new topic of interest, please begin a new post.

I am so glad you are here and would love to have you join our community!  Pull up a chair, get comfortable and get ready to meet a great bunch of people!  

Connie
Community Leader

[sistak]

I have had high blood pressure, heart dease, diabetes, and CHF for several years.  I have had chest pains periodically for years.  Every time I would go to the ER, I would get admitted because of my history.  Finally, during a hospitalization in Sept. I got a doctor who decided to go beyond the usual tests that was always ran and he did a heart cath.  That is when he found the blockage and placed the stent.