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.
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. ”
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.
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.
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.
All the information contained in this website is intended for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Inclusion of specific information is not considered an endorsement of any organization or content, nor do we believe that this website is comprehensive of all the sources related to heart health. Readers are encouraged to consult other sources and talk with their healthcare provider to obtain further information and personal treatment advice.
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