Connecting with others is an important part of living well with a heart condition. Social and emotional support can help you feel less alone. You may also find comfort from sharing experiences and receiving encouragement from others.
‘Peer support’ is a term used to describe a group or community of people with something in common who provide emotional, practical, and social support to each other. By connecting with your ‘heart peers’, you become part of a community of fellow ‘heart warriors’.
Peer support offers connection, support, and advice:
Connection |
Connecting with others who are living with similar conditions and have shared experiences. |
Advice |
Sharing non-medical information to help manage practical and social life changes while living with a heart condition. |
Support |
Providing support for emotional health and wellbeing through recovery and learning your new normal. |
You might already have friends you feel comfortable speaking with over coffee, while walking or doing something you love together. But peer support is different in that you connect with others who share your unique experience of living with a heart condition.
How or where you find social and emotional support does not matter. What matters is seeking support when you need it.
The MyHeart MyLife community is an online group open to all people living in Australia with a heart condition, or caring for someone with a heart condition. It offers a space to read and share heart stories and connect with others who share a similar experience. New members and posts are moderated by the Heart Foundation to ensure it remains a safe and supportive community.
Supporting Young Hearts is an online group open to people aged 18-45 years who are living in Australia with a heart condition or caring for someone with a heart condition. It is a space for younger people to connect with each other, share stories and learn about how to manage their heart condition. New members and posts are moderated by the Heart Foundation to ensure it remains a safe and supportive community.
The Heart Foundation’s peer support network is run through closed Facebook groups, with members from across Australia. It is a safe space accessed via your usual Facebook account, moderated by the Heart Foundation. Watch Len’s video to learn about why joining will help you in your recovery journey.
Last updated14 June 2024
