Charity Number 1087415

UPBEAT - HEART SUPPORT IN WEST SUFFOLK

A  Message From Our Chairman

Welcome To Upbeat

Probably, if you are reading this message, you or someone close to you has recently been diagnosed with a heart attack, a cardiac related illness, or an old problem which has resurfaced to give you cause for concern. One thing is certain, you will not be alone in looking for reasons why, answers and where to go.
Many people use Upbeat and this web site to help in a variety of ways to steer them through what can be a frightening time for patient, carer and family.

The psychological aspects of having to come to terms with the diagnosis of any form of cardiac problem are now being recognised. This helps in understanding the inner feelings of fear and lack of confidence which may be totally alien to your character. Often, the suddenness of an event like a heart attack will not only affect the person involved but spread to all the other related members of the family who wonder how and why and if they will be next.

We live in very much a blame culture, no doubt some of which is deserved, and in future will probably be more so. At the moment very few people who are in our situation are guilty of knowingly bringing it on themselves. Genetic makeup and stress related work and living conditions are now known to be major factors.

My husband and I have both had angina, heart attacks and by-pass surgery. He has had two bypass operations with major surgery and is now also an insulin dependent diabetic. At the time of onset, within a year of each other, we were both seemingly very fit working as a teacher and police officer. Now I am very much a carer. It gives me personally a lot of experience and empathy as after my heart attack, due to complications, it was impossible for me to do much for two years. The depression, loneliness and frustration of this time very much has a bearing for me of the importance of Upbeat, or any other support group. Eleven years of constantly trying to help and reassure others has give me an amazing amount of understanding and insight into how different people tackle life. On the whole the fear factor, although buried for years, can resurface very quickly at the hint of a pain sometimes making people worry unduly - however it should always be checked out. Members who have not been in regular contact will often come back to Upbeat when this happens or even if it doesn’t and it is nice to know that we are still there for them when they do

There is no doubt in my mind that, even for people who feel that they would sooner be alone, it is helpful for them to try to find a group to be with other people for short while at least. If you have had hospital rehabilitation this will help but there are many who are not offered or can not get to this facility

Upbeat offers the same health checks and exercise for partners and carers as for patients. It can be enormously beneficial for them to talk to others, to unload some of their worries and to realise that other people have similar problems. Looking into the future, you may decide to play a sport, exercise or walk together, something that you have not done before.

In the future it is highly possible that you will be looking into a pot of pills at some time during the day. This worries some people a great deal. From a personal point of view, as long as I am aware of what they are meant to do and of any necessary side effects, I feel very privileged to live in an age when, through constant research, it is possible to be given a few little sweets (!!) which can completely change my quality of life and I feel very grateful.

In my role as working chairman of Upbeat, I aim to oversee the group to keep everything working as smoothly and well managed as possible. It is necessary to be aware that everyone, including the committee, have had a cardiac event and I try to help and keep the pressure off them as much as possible. As in most organisations, we are short of specific help and I thank everyone for all they do.

Positive thinking and a good laugh is of paramount importance and will improve your life and that of everyone around you. We are here to help when we can.

Best wishes,
Jill Brooks.

Back To Top