After your loved one has a heart attack, it can be hard to know exactly what to say. Plus, you’re seemingly suddenly tasked with communicating with all kinds of people: doctors, insurance companies, other healthcare professionals, not to mention your friends and family. Here are some tips from the Heart Foundation for effective and constructive communication.

1. Be as specific and clear as possible

The Heart Foundation notes that when both parties speaking are clear and straightforward, their chances of being mutually understood increase. You take a risk that the other person may disagree or refuse your request, but it’s worth it to make sure you’re properly heard.

“ Even though it can be stressful, it’s important to bring up difficult subjects to ensure they get addressed. ”

2. Have conversations in the right places

Making sure you have someone’s full attention when you speak to them is essential to being heard. When communicating with doctors, for example, the Heart Foundation advises speaking in a private office or conference room rather than a hallway or waiting room to ensure you have the physician’s full attention.

3. Talk about the tough stuff

Even though it can be stressful, it’s important to bring up difficult subjects to ensure they get addressed. For things like finances, wills, and insurance, it’s much better to bring them up early rather than let them simmer, even if the conversation feels difficult. The Heart Foundation says that preparing for the future can help relieve stress—even if you don’t feel better right away, you may see yourself eventually feeling relieved that you got the tricky issues out of the way.

4. Be appreciative

Heart attack recovery is a stressful process for all involved, so it makes sense that saying “thank you” might fall to the bottom of your list. Thanking the healthcare team caring for your loved one will go a long way, says the Heart Foundation. It’s a nice reminder that you’re all in this together.