Another important source of recovery help comes from former heart patients.  Grafted Hearts is a support group for individuals who will be undergoing open heart surgery.  The group offers encouragement to patients and their families during treatment.  A member of Grafted Hearts visits every patient who is scheduled for open heart surgery at Fairview Hospital.  The patient is visited on the day before the surgery and a few days later.  If you are to be admitted the day of your surgery, a member of  Grafted Hearts will contact you by phone.  After a month, a follow-up phone call provides support and explores the patient’s progress.

Grafted Hearts meets monthly to support patients in their efforts to change their lifestyles and decrease the advancement of heart disease.  All heart patients are invited to join Grafted Hearts.  Associate memberships are also available for family and friends of open heart patients.  For more information on Grafted Hearts, please call (216) 476-7210.