Resources and Patient Groups

Home Page: http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/
Condition Info: http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/en.aspx?articleID=187

NHS Direct Online is a website providing comprehensive health advice for people living in England - and is supported by a 24-hour helpline.

Their information on the common heart attack - more accurately known as a myocardial infarction - is extensive. A brief introduction outlines the blockage of a heart artery; a list of symptoms and causes describes the effects of a blood clot (thrombosis); and they offer further advice on an ECG diagnosis and all subsequent treatment. Selected links to other helpful sites are included - along with quick access to other related topics such as angina, congenital heart disease and endocarditis.

Home Page: http://www.bupa.co.uk/
Condition Info: http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/heart_attack.html

BUPA is the leading provider of private healthcare insurance, hospitals and healthcare services in the UK. Their website offers free online health information from trusted medical experts.

BUPA provide a printable online factsheet covering the causes, symptoms and treatments of a heart attack. Atherosclerosis - the build-up of fatty deposits (plaque) within the coronary arteries - is fully explained, along with who is affected and how a myocardial infarction can be prevented in the future. They also offer helpful links to related websites for further information.

Home Page: http://www.bhf.org.uk/
Condition Info: http://www.bhf.org.uk/questions/index.asp?secondlevel=1162&thirdlevel=1314

The BHF is the largest independent body funding heart research in the UK and plays an important role in providing education for the public alongside health professionals. The Foundation also provides cardiac equipment and support for rehabilitation and patient care.
The BHF website offers information on all heart conditions, including related coronary problems that may occur before or after a heart attack. As well as defining the difference between heart attack and cardiac arrest they also provide helpful advice on recovery after a heart attack, tips on your diet and healthy eating plus information on family history and its role in disease inheritance. The BHF also have a Heart Info Line offering free heart advice.

Home Page: http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/
Condition Info: http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/heartattackrecovery1.shtml

BBC Health offers a complete A-Z illness listing, with related articles and guides plus a messageboard where users can share their experiences.

The BBC offers helpful information about risks and rehabilitation after a heart attack, as well as any subsequent drug treatments, psychological issues and lifestyle changes that may arise. They also provide information on general heart health alongside links to other heart-related sites, charities and support groups within the UK. You can also email a BBC doctor with your queries.

Home Page: http://www.patient.co.uk/
Condition Info: http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/23068792/

Patient UK provides non-medical people in the UK with good quality information about health and disease. Their content is produced and edited by qualified GPs and is based on patient evidence.

Patient UK offer up-to-date information on heart attacks (also known as myocardial infarctions or an MI) and covers causes and symptoms, discussing possible complications after a coronary blockage and suggesting ways to prevent a further attack. Their website also offers an extensive list of patient support groups, a large directory of other UK websites dealing specifically with heart issues - and even suggests books to buy for further reading.

Home Page: http://www.heartpro.co.uk/
Condition Info: http://www.heartpro.co.uk/heart-attack-p-40.html

The Healthy Heart Programme (HHP) offers information on heart health profiles and risk factors as well as providing guidance, actions and incentives to help people lead heart-friendly lifestyles.

The HHP website explains what a heart attack is and why it happens. It offers advice on what to do in the event of thrombosis and provides some useful links. The site also offers a helpful glossary of cardiac terms and lets you take a heart attack risk assessment. It also supplies a list of heart-friendly products and will answer questions about coronary heart disease.

Home Page: http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/
Condition Info: http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/coronarythrombosis.htm

NetDoctor.co.uk is a collaboration between committed doctors, healthcare professionals and patients in the UK. Their website aims to break down the "medical language barrier" between doctor and patient and offers a large online encyclopaedia of diseases and related medicines.

The NetDoctor factsheet for heart attacks explains what coronary thrombosis is and why it occurs - alongside further detail on diagnosis and symptoms plus in-depth information on the common medication used for treatment (aspirin, nitrates, beta-blockers, etc) and links to their varying medical names. They also look at the physical and mental consequences of a heart blockage and offer advice on how to prevent further attacks in the future.

Home Page: http://www.heartuk.org.uk/
Condition Info: http://www.heartuk.org.uk/ (under "Health Info")

HEART UK is committed to raising awareness of heart disease in the UK and stressing the importance of a healthy lifestyle to help reduce the risk of suffering from it.

Their website includes a series of FAQ and diet info sheets designed to answer common questions about heart disease and the high cholesterol levels that can accompany it. Subjects covered include risk factors, stress, exercise, cardioprotective diets and more. They also provide helpful links to some of the best health resources on the web.

Home Page: http://www.bcpa.co.uk/
Condition Info: http://www.bcpa.co.uk/helpful_docs.htm

The British Cardiac Patients Association offers unconditional help, reassurance and advice to cardiac patients and their families. They have some very helpful documents to download concerning heart attacks.

The BCPA offer in-depth information on myocardial infarctions and exactly how patients can expect to experience heart problems in hospital. Their site also discusses life after a heart blockage and suggests ways of maintaining good health. They also offer advice to carers and first aiders and explain the angioplasty and stent procedures. They have a helpful online glossary that defines and explains cardio terms and the Association also produces its own bi-monthly magazine.

Home Page: http://www.heart2hearts.co.uk/
Condition Info: http://www.heart2hearts.co.uk/heart-attack.html

Heart2Hearts is a heart support group designed to let those who have suffered a heart attack to speak to one another. It brings together some informative articles ranging from angina, surgical scarring, atrial fibrillation and bypasses to what happens in hospital after a heart attack and how your life may change as a result. The includes up-to-date heart news and a patient messageboard.