Patients take charge of their health

This year, the Cardiac Heart Function clinic hosted the 6th annual Heart Failure Seminar for patients. A group of heart failure experts were brought together with the shared goal to inform and empower those to take control of their heart health. The evening started with an expo of heart informational booths. From the smoking cessation clinic to heart healthy food alternatives such as David’s condiments and Better Meals, over 140 attendees gathered to learn, share their experiences, and try some heart healthy snacks.

Heart failure cardiologist, Dr. Lynn Straatman started the evening seminar by reviewing the essentials to recognizing worsening heart failure symptoms and how to address them. Bonnie Wong and Kayla Fang, cardiac function clinic pharmacists described goals of pharmalogical heart failure treatments.

Lifestyle changes through diet is an integral part of successful heart failure management. Guest speaker Dietician Michele Blanchet stressed the importance of salt and fluid control in the diet in order to manage HF symptoms. Lastly, Dianne Ross, cardiac function clinical resource nurse addressed the often ‘taboo’ discussion of making decisions about advance care directives.

This year’s seminar was the largest ever hosted by the VGH Cardiac Function Clinic. The positive feedback and success ensured that this tradition will continue for next year!

‘Better Meals’ representatives provide samples of their tasty low sodium prepared foods