‘Mended Hearts’ support group starting

St. Charles Health System’s Cardiovascular Services is starting a new chapter of Mended Hearts, a national cardiac support group that has been offering the gift of hope to heart patients, their families and caregivers for 60 years.

Mended Hearts’ mission is, “inspiring hope and improving the quality of life for heart patients and their families through ongoing peer-to-peer support.”

Because Mended Hearts is made up of the very kinds of people it serves — heart patients, their families and others affected by heart disease — its members draw on personal experience as they help others.

Mended Hearts support groups help people understand that there can be a rich, rewarding life after a heart event.Members listen, share their experiences, learn from health care professionals and volunteer to talk to other heart patients about what they may face, including lifestyle changes, depression, recovery and treatment.

“We hope you can join us for our inaugural, informational meeting,” said Carey Pulido, St. Charles’ heart failure nurse navigator. “We think that you will find the program beneficial to you and your family members and that your participation and input will be valuable to the other members of our new chapter.”

The first meeting is from 2 to 3 p.m., Feb. 21 at St. Charles Bend in Classroom B.