rom the president Dr. Fredonia B Williams

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1 Volume 8, Issue 3 P. O. Box 18912, Huntsville, AL F rom the president Dr. Fredonia B Williams Chapter 260 members present at the February meeting received very important information from Dr. Josh Valtos on Medications and Challenges of Multiple Medications. See page 2 for a summary of heart failure medications and the treatment of HF patients. March 2018 Dr. Fredonia B. Williams, Editor Dr. Valtos is accepting new patients at the Heart Center on Franklin Street. After his presentation, he remained to answer numerous questions from the members. Thanks to Renee Battle at Mended Hearts, Inc and the Heart Failure Society of America for providing the February speaker. Join us on Thursday, March 15th at 6:30 pm in Room 119A at the Dowdle Center on the corner of Gallatin and Governors Drive. Our March speaker is Dr. Evan Cohen. Dr. Cohen s clinical specialties and interests include but not limited to Aortic and Mitral Valve Surgery, Atrial Fibrillation Surgery, Bronchoscopy, Cardiothoracic Surgical Intensive Care, Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting, Endovascular Repair Dr. Evan Cohen of Descending Thoracic Aneurysms, Esophageal Stents, Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery, Off Pump Coronary Bypass Grafting, Surgical Treatment of Aortic Aneurysms, Surgical Treatment of Hiatal Hernia, Thoracic Oncology and Surgery, Tracheal Stents and Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery.

2 Page 2 The Beat Goes On Heart Failure Medications and Challenges of Multiple Medications Dr. Josh Valtos, Heart Center, Huntsville Hospital According to Dr. Valtos, your chance of having a medication problem is increased if: You take 5 or more drugs. You take drugs for 3 or more health problems. You get prescriptions from more than one provider. You got prescriptions during a recent stay in the hospital. The word for taking multiple medications is polypharmacy Know the name and purpose of each medication that you are prescribed Carry a list of your medications or bring your medicines with you to appointments Sometimes the instructions on the bottle are not the same as your provider has instructed, i.e. sometimes when changing dosage of medicine Ask your provider the PURPOSE of medications Ask your provider HOW to take your medications Tell your provider if you are taking any non-prescription medicines Many medications have more than one effect All medications have a brand name and a generic name There are numerous and excellent medical treatment options available for heart failure. Taking your medications as prescribed and leading a healthy lifestyle offer the best chance to improve symptoms and prolong life. Remember, numerous perceived medication side effects may represent worsening heart failure. When you have questions or concerns regarding your treatment, reach out to your provider for advice. Also, HFSA offers educational resources to patients and families. Visit the HFSA website to learn more about educational materials and the heart failure patient app: Heart Failure Health Storylines

3 Page 3 The Beat Goes On Huntsville Heart & Stroke Walk April 14, 2018 *Downtown Huntsville *Courthouse Square Check-In: 8:00 am Walk starts 9:30 am We aren't just walking. We're Heartwalking! Thank you for joining nearly 1 million Americans at 305 events across the country to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. How can you make a positive difference in the lives of your friends, family and coworkers? Join the Heart Walk, start Heartwalking and make the commitment to lead a heart healthy life and become healthy for good. Remember- we're not only raising funds, we're raising heartbeats! Note to Chapter 260 Members: our chapter is responsible for the AHA Booth to distribute the red caps for heart disease survivors and white caps for stroke survivors. We will sign up team members at the March meeting. Mended Hearts Education and Training Annual Conference Hyatt Regency San Antonio July 15 18, 2018 Join us in San Antonio along the Riverwalk! July 15 18, 2018 Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk The early bird registration cost is $265. Hotel rate is $149. Please call the hotel directly at for the conference rate. Mended Hearts Education & Training Conference will be held July The conference will begin on Sun. at 4:00 PM and run until Wed. at 1:00 PM. Mended Little Hearts CHD Symposium will be held on July 14. The Symposium will be held from 8 AM-5 PM with a reception to follow. Mended Little Hearts Conference will be July The conference will begin at 8:00 AM on Sun. and run until Mon. at 12:30 PM

4 Page 4 The Beat Goes On We recognize member birthdays and surgery dates referred to as Mendiversaries. Congratulations to everyone who is celebrating a heart procedure anniversary this month. Please call Fredonia Williams at if you know anyone who is sick or has experienced a loss, so that we may remember him or her. Marion Terry eye surgery 3-14 Deepest sympathy to the family of Jane Gooch who passed this month. Jane was one of our Accredited Visitors. March Birthdays Delilah Harris Gary Stewart March Mendiversaries Helen Drake Dewitt Westrope P. Dean Olive M/M Richard Rice M/M Carl Walker Richard Ennis Conard Atchley Randy Boyette

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6 GOVERNORS Your last issue?? If you are a member, the national office will send you a renewal notice three months in advance of your due date. You will receive the newsletter for a few extra months while you consider renewing. If we visited you in the hospital, we will send you the newsletter for three months while you recover. Whether or not you are a member, you and your family are invited to attend our meetings, where you can meet others who share your experience. Programs are selected to be of interest to heart patients. Members receive this newsletter each month. There is an application form with this newsletter. We meet at the Dowdle Center on the corner of Gallatin and Governors. Park The Mended Hearts, Inc Huntsville Chapter 260 The Beat Goes On Newsletter Volunteer Services 101 Sivley Road Huntsville, AL 35801