Having a Great Support System

Having a great support system is vital when you are diagnosed with a chronic condition like heart disease, especially when you have your "down days" and feel like you are suffocating from life or a bad test result.

It’s good to know you have a support system to keep you going. In some cases, a great support system is necessary for recovery purposes. That was the case for me when I had to go through the process of getting on the heart transplant list.

Support systems aren't limited to family

One of the things on the transplant recipient checklist is that you must have a support system. This is because of the recovery process and the fact that you won’t be able to do much on your own. It’s not a time for being independent.

Great support systems can consist of a variety of people in your life. Sometimes it’s friends, sometimes it’s family, and sometimes it's even neighbors. People who want the best for you don’t always have to be family.

In my case, it was mostly family visiting me because I didn’t have many friends. My best friend was there visiting me in the hospital and during my recovery, so that really helped me. And depending on your lifestyle and family structure, you might have a spouse or even children to help out.

Therapists can be part of a support system

Having a therapist can also be part of a support system, because there are a lot of adjustments that you have to make when you are diagnosed with cardiovascular disease — from medications that you will have to add to your daily regimen to coping with symptoms and impacts to your daily life, especially if you have kids or work. I’m not a parent yet, but I hear from friends with kids that it’s not an easy job being a parent, and when you add cardiovascular disease into the mix, it can be treacherous. Having a therapist can help you adjust and cope with life changes.

I started going to a therapist after getting diagnosed with advanced heart failure because I felt like my life was over and I didn’t know how to cope with anything.

A support system can reduce stress

Every day brings new challenges with cardiovascular disease. One day everything can be going great, and another day you can be so depressed you can’t even get out of bed. It’s like having a rollercoaster of emotions.

That’s when support systems come in handy — with impromptu check-ins. For me, I found it very helpful when friends or family would call or text me to let me know I was on their minds. People in your support systems can also help reduce stress because they can help you decompress after a long day with doctor appointments and disappointing news. Sometimes you want to vent and feel like nobody’s judging you.

Encouragement to do what's best for you

Spending time with people in your support system also proves to be beneficial because they encourage you to do what’s best for you — for instance, getting out of the house and going for a walk, or getting up and opening the curtains.

When I would wake up, my mom would always make it a point to open up my curtains in the room. I used to be so annoyed when she would do this, but in all honesty, it was the best thing for me.

In many ways, having a great support system is beneficial and vital to living with cardiovascular disease.

Do you have a story to share about someone in your support system? How have your support people made an impact on you or your life with CVD? Share a story by clicking the button below.

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