Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA)
ACHA is a national organization for adults, and adolescents, with congenital heart disease (CHD). The purpose of ACHA is to educate the public, adults with CHD, and the medical community about adult congenital heart issues through the development of forums, newsletters, support groups and other methods of public information. For more information, http://www.achaheart.org/*
American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is nonprofit organization, whose mission is to reduce disability and death from cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Volunteers and staff, work to meet these goals through supporting research, providing resources, education and support to those with heart disease or those at risk, and acting as national advocate. For more information:
- http://www.americanheart.org/*
- 1-800-AHA-USA1
- American Heart Association National Center, 7272 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75231
- Locally , (216) 791-7500
American Heart Association related sites:
American Stroke Association
Affiliated with the American Heart Association, this group provides information and support to over 1,850 stroke groups and more than 150,000 stroke survivors, caregivers and healthcare professionals throughout the country. For more information:
Cleveland Clinic OASIS (Older Adult Service and Information System)
OASIS is a national nonprofit educational organization designed to enhance the quality of life for adults, ages 50 and older. Offering challenging programs in the arts, humanities, wellness, technology and volunteer service, OASIS creates opportunities for older adults to continue their personal growth and provide meaningful service to the community. Locally, OASIS is sponsored by The Cleveland Clinic Foundation and Kaufmann's Department Stores. A $20/trimester fee is charged to attend programs. Exercise classes may have an additional fee. For more information and a listing of classes:
CongenitalHeartDefects.com
Information and resources for people with CHD, including definitions of medical terms, hospitals caring for people with CHDs, links to support groups, articles regarding CHDs, and resources for the CHD community.
- http://www.congenitalheartdefects.com/*
- For questions or more information, call Anna Jaworski, toll-free at 888-222-4649 or at (254) 778-4770.
Baby Hearts Press
3910 Sierra Blanca Blvd.
Temple, TX 76502-1662
Congenital Heart Information Network
C.H.I.N. is an international organization that provides reliable information, support services and resources to families of children with congenital heart defects and acquired heart disease, adults with congenital heart defects, and the professionals who work with them.
Healthwise Connection
This free Cleveland Clinic hospitals' program entitles you to special discounts and services available exclusively to Healthwise Connection members. Our program is open to all people age 50 and older who are interested in preserving and protecting their health, while saving money and savoring new experiences.
Call toll-free 800.775.4HWC (4492).
Heart Support of America
Heart Support of America provides direct financial assistance to heart disease victims and their families that do not have the resources for the treatment and care they need.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association (HCMA)
The HCMA was established in 1996 as a support organization focused at providing information and support to those with HCM, their families and the medical community. For more information:
Mended Hearts, Inc.
Mended Hearts, Inc. is affiliated with the American Heart Association and is an international volunteer support group for heart patients, families and caregivers. It is an organization of people who have heart disease, many whom are specially trained to visit other heart disease patients and family members, to provide encouragement and support to patients and family members going through the same or similar heart experiences. For more information:
Locally, The Greater Cleveland Chapter #138 of Mended Hearts provides trained visitors six days a week to visit Cleveland Clinic heart disease patients and their families. They meet monthly, usually on the second Wednesday evening, at various hospitals in the area on a rotating basis. For more information:
Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes (SADS) Foundation
SADS is a nonprofit organization, established for the purpose of helping to prevent sudden and unexpected cardiac death in children and in young adults. The SADS Foundation is committed to supporting families and individuals with genetically mediated cardiac arrhythmias through education, research, and advocacy . For more information:
TRIO - Transplant Recipient International Organization
TRIO is an independent, not-for-profit, international organization committed to improving the quality of life of transplant candidates, recipients, their families and the families of organ and tissue donors. For more information:
Locally, TRIO meets the fourth Wednesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at University Hospitals, Bolwell Hall on odd-numbered months, and at the Cleveland Clinic on even numbered months. Parking and refreshments provided. For more information, please call 216/473-8979.
For more links to resources and support - see the Cleveland Clinic Department of Social Work website.
The following websites offer online support for patients with heart disease:
WARNING ABOUT ONLINE POSTING BOARDS/CHAT ROOMS:
The Cleveland Clinic Heart and Vascular Institute is not responsible for the content or the performance of these sites. These sites may contain online chats or posting boards that provide an opportunity for users with a common interest or health care issue to communicate and offer support. Statements are opinion only and are not considered medically accurate. When posting medical information about you, please note that it is not a private forum. All information you post will be read by others.
Use these sites at your own risk including any risks associated with destructive viruses. Please remember that medical information, in the absence of a visit with a health care professional, must be considered of an educational or supportive nature only. It should not be relied upon as a medical consultation and is not designed to replace a physician's independent judgment about the appropriateness or risks of a procedure for a given patient.
*a new browser window will open with this link. The inclusion of links to other web sites does not imply any endorsement of the material on the web sites or any association with their operators
