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Healing Hearts and Minds: A Holistic Approach to Coping Well with Congenital Heart Disease
Full of evidence-based, easy to understand information about CHD,
Healing Hearts and Minds
offers strategies for learning to thrive despite living with this condition, but most importantly it will offer hope and connection.
Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) is the most commonly diagnosed birth abnormality in the US. With great advances in surgery and medicine, however, survival rates have improved by 75% since the 1940s. Welcome news, of course, as only a few decades ago these birth defects were considered a death sentence, but as with any chronic condition, survival does not mean the issue is cured. With better medical care, babies born today with CHD have a good chance of surviving, but throughout their entire lives they can face surgeries, invasive treatments, lifelong monitoring, frequent medical check-ups, and significant limitations on physical activity, in addition to poor public awareness which can have an impact on social inclusion and understanding. Much attention has rightly been focused on the medical needs of these children and on providing their parents and caretakers with resources and information to navigate the complexities of this chronic condition.
Little attention, however, has been paid to the psychosocial impacts on these individuals, especially as they grow, mature, and become adults living with a serious, chronic medical condition. Prevalence rates for anxiety, depression, and PTSD are significantly higher (2-3x in some cases) for people living with CHD than the general adult population. From feeling self-conscious about scars and limitations on physical activity and sense of loss around so many of life's little normalcies, to frequent hospital visits and living in constant fear of an emergency, this condition is ever-present. Liza Morton and Tracy Livecchi are both mental health professionals who have developed a specialty in working with clients who have chronic medical conditions, and they are both themselves living with CHD. In this book they set out to provide the resources and support they have been looking for their entire adult lives. While their powerful personal stories are woven into the narrative, the book is
focused on providing evidence-based coping and self-care skills for adults living with CHD.
Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) is the most commonly diagnosed birth abnormality in the US. With great advances in surgery and medicine, however, survival rates have improved by 75% since the 1940s. Welcome news, of course, as only a few decades ago these birth defects were considered a death sentence, but as with any chronic condition, survival does not mean the issue is cured. With better medical care, babies born today with CHD have a good chance of surviving, but throughout their entire lives they can face surgeries, invasive treatments, lifelong monitoring, frequent medical check-ups, and significant limitations on physical activity, in addition to poor public awareness which can have an impact on social inclusion and understanding. Much attention has rightly been focused on the medical needs of these children and on providing their parents and caretakers with resources and information to navigate the complexities of this chronic condition.
Little attention, however, has been paid to the psychosocial impacts on these individuals, especially as they grow, mature, and become adults living with a serious, chronic medical condition. Prevalence rates for anxiety, depression, and PTSD are significantly higher (2-3x in some cases) for people living with CHD than the general adult population. From feeling self-conscious about scars and limitations on physical activity and sense of loss around so many of life's little normalcies, to frequent hospital visits and living in constant fear of an emergency, this condition is ever-present. Liza Morton and Tracy Livecchi are both mental health professionals who have developed a specialty in working with clients who have chronic medical conditions, and they are both themselves living with CHD. In this book they set out to provide the resources and support they have been looking for their entire adult lives. While their powerful personal stories are woven into the narrative, the book is
focused on providing evidence-based coping and self-care skills for adults living with CHD.
- GenresNonfiction
304 pages, Paperback
Published January 13, 2023
20 people are currently reading
1222 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 16, 2023
Amazing! So thankful for the work of these authors to shine a light on the lived CHD experience. I would recommend to everyone who is affected by CHD.
March 11, 2024
This book is absolute gold for the Congenital Heart Condition community and their loved ones. Not only does it bring to light the hardships CHC individuals face, but it helps us put them into words and makes those hardships be validated. While we are far from "normal," this book helped me feel like I was seen and understood, while helping me understand why I feel the things I do as a CHC person.
March 9, 2023
This books is valuable for the CHC (Chronical Heart Condition) Community in so many ways. Just reading the 'table of contents' loosened something in my chest and made me feel understood.
The focus of living with a CHC is usually on the physical well-being. However, while this is absolutely important, it also has quite an impact on the psychosocial aspects of one's life. Although not on purpose, this part is sometimes overlooked. This book addresses both the physical and mental health aspects of growing up and living with a CHC and does so in a very compassionate way. It not only explains the struggles you have to face, but it also provides many insights and coping skills to deal with these hardships - all evidence-based.
Through this book I'm finally beginning to understand and accept that the struggles and obstacles people with a CHC are facing are simply different from healthy peers. The stories of the authors (who are also affected by a CHC) as well as the short anecdotes of other people, teaches you that you are not alone in your feelings and - most importantly - that those feelings are valid.
The authors suggest to keep a journal while reading to write down your thoughts and I second that. It is not a book you'll read in one sitting, for it will get you thinking and it probably will bring back memories. That's not necessarily a bad thing as it will help you to process the experiences and feelings of the past and the present.
I would like to recommend this book to anyone who is dealing with a CHC, their caregivers and maybe the people closest to them who would like to know more about this part of the lives of their loved ones. Furthermore I would like to thank Tracy Livecchi and Liza Morton from the bottom of my heart (pun intended) for writing this book. It is beautifully written and you'll notice the care and thought they've put in every word. Their incredible work will probably help many people to understand their struggles, their feelings and themselves and for that they deserve only praise.
The focus of living with a CHC is usually on the physical well-being. However, while this is absolutely important, it also has quite an impact on the psychosocial aspects of one's life. Although not on purpose, this part is sometimes overlooked. This book addresses both the physical and mental health aspects of growing up and living with a CHC and does so in a very compassionate way. It not only explains the struggles you have to face, but it also provides many insights and coping skills to deal with these hardships - all evidence-based.
Through this book I'm finally beginning to understand and accept that the struggles and obstacles people with a CHC are facing are simply different from healthy peers. The stories of the authors (who are also affected by a CHC) as well as the short anecdotes of other people, teaches you that you are not alone in your feelings and - most importantly - that those feelings are valid.
The authors suggest to keep a journal while reading to write down your thoughts and I second that. It is not a book you'll read in one sitting, for it will get you thinking and it probably will bring back memories. That's not necessarily a bad thing as it will help you to process the experiences and feelings of the past and the present.
I would like to recommend this book to anyone who is dealing with a CHC, their caregivers and maybe the people closest to them who would like to know more about this part of the lives of their loved ones. Furthermore I would like to thank Tracy Livecchi and Liza Morton from the bottom of my heart (pun intended) for writing this book. It is beautifully written and you'll notice the care and thought they've put in every word. Their incredible work will probably help many people to understand their struggles, their feelings and themselves and for that they deserve only praise.
February 6, 2023
Every adult born with a congenital heart defect should read this book. I can’t even explain how much this book talked to me, validated my feelings, explained why I am the way I am. No one could ever relate to my situation, I never met anyone that had two open heart surgeries as a child like I did. I had no one to talk to. My health situation growing up made me angry, sad, & lonely. I hated my scars, I was self conscious about my raised sternum. I was teased. Hospital stays were scary & painful. It wasn’t fair & frankly never got any easier as I got older. A stroke at 22, another OHS at 32, a hemorrhagic ovarian cyst that almost killed me due to the warfarin I have to take, a fib and heart failure all in my 40’s. I’m always waiting for the other shoe to drop as I try so hard to just live my life. It’s exhausting. The authors talk about “compare & despair”, I have definitely been guilty of most of my life.
This book is probably the most important book I’ve read. Almost every page, I was nodding to myself and agreeing with the authors. I read an article a few years back where Dr. Liza Morton wrote “my stoicism hid a lifetime of fears” & I relate to that so much. I wish things were different in the 70’s & 80’s. Thank you Liza & Tracy for writing this book, even I didn’t know how much I needed it.
This book is probably the most important book I’ve read. Almost every page, I was nodding to myself and agreeing with the authors. I read an article a few years back where Dr. Liza Morton wrote “my stoicism hid a lifetime of fears” & I relate to that so much. I wish things were different in the 70’s & 80’s. Thank you Liza & Tracy for writing this book, even I didn’t know how much I needed it.
May 11, 2024
An absolute must read for someone with CHD and for the loved ones of someone with CHD. Not only does it have a lot of practical advice, it has stories of other people with the condition, tons of resources and such a positive caring tone. Reading this book in public is also a great discussion starter. A mom with her five year old son saw the book and started asking questions, which led to my husband being able to show his matching scar to the five year old. It was a beautiful moment, and we were able to trade information and resources back and forth. Thank you to the authors!
Currently reading
February 9, 2023Good to read in #CHDAwarenessWeek
February 12, 2023
Exactly what we needed in the CHD community.
May 4, 2023
Highly recommend for any patient with CHD or if you know a CHDer!
August 19, 2024
The book that we never knew we needed.
Saying we because the book was recommended to me via the psychology service embedded within cardiology at my hospital and was read as part of a shared experience bookclub with several other ACHD patients, along with the psychologists support.
I'm writing this now after a second readthrough alone, and ahead of a second launch of the book club to pick up more themes from the book. The book has helped come to terms with aspects of the condition that generally aren't catered for - it's allowed me to release emotions and angst that should never have made it that long. It's led to shared experiences where we've seen how lucky and how unlucky we've been in our treatments, led to goal setting, led to huge improvements in patient representation in regional care and allowed us to share this with the next region over who are now going through the same.
Having authors that have been through it, and that can share their experiences as professionals in the field is something truly rare. It's a support that cannot exist within the normal medical professionals and I recommend anyone looking to read this book be prepared to share it with others. The experience, ability and complete non-judgemental tone of this book makes discussing topics and themes raised as important as reading it.
I ramble.... if you're an adult with ACHD get this. If you're a parent of a child with ACHD gets this.
Saying we because the book was recommended to me via the psychology service embedded within cardiology at my hospital and was read as part of a shared experience bookclub with several other ACHD patients, along with the psychologists support.
I'm writing this now after a second readthrough alone, and ahead of a second launch of the book club to pick up more themes from the book. The book has helped come to terms with aspects of the condition that generally aren't catered for - it's allowed me to release emotions and angst that should never have made it that long. It's led to shared experiences where we've seen how lucky and how unlucky we've been in our treatments, led to goal setting, led to huge improvements in patient representation in regional care and allowed us to share this with the next region over who are now going through the same.
Having authors that have been through it, and that can share their experiences as professionals in the field is something truly rare. It's a support that cannot exist within the normal medical professionals and I recommend anyone looking to read this book be prepared to share it with others. The experience, ability and complete non-judgemental tone of this book makes discussing topics and themes raised as important as reading it.
I ramble.... if you're an adult with ACHD get this. If you're a parent of a child with ACHD gets this.
Want to read
December 16, 2022Haven't even read the book yet but I'm so excited for it
June 28, 2024
Amazing!! Very helpful for families.
February 9, 2024
I’m so thankful to have come across this book. I became a Heart Warrior as an infant. I’ve recently found myself undergoing a difficult time with my heart health. I found myself searching for a book to provide a voice to the experience of what it means and has meant to have a CHD. Reading this book felt like reading the memoir I never wrote.
I will be forever thankful that I came across this book and have already recommended it to a fellow Heart Warrior. I cherish it. I’ve found in it a resource for not only myself, but for my loved ones as well.
I will be forever thankful that I came across this book and have already recommended it to a fellow Heart Warrior. I cherish it. I’ve found in it a resource for not only myself, but for my loved ones as well.
February 19, 2024
Fantastic book for anyone who has had congenital heart disease touch their life. Whether you are a survivor or the relative/friend/significant other of one, this book goes a long way in understanding the mental health side of this disease. As a mother of a boy with CHD I found this book extremely helpful and recommend it often.
November 13, 2023
4.5 stars, found the book very enlightening and informative as someone with CHD. Was not 5 stars due to it being sometimes repetitive in places, but overall a great read for anyone who had CHD or is involved with CHD patients in some way. ☺️
April 22, 2024
One of the best reads!
May 19, 2023
As a social worker within an Adult Congenital Heart Disease center, I could not have asked for a more informative book. "Healing Hearts and Minds" distills complex topics and provides easy to follow and easy to share evidenced-based coping skills for patients with CHD. This book, the resources, skills, and the personal stories shared, has made me a stronger clinician in this field. I encourage my colleagues in the CHD community as well as those with CHD to read this book. - Meredith K, LCSW
February 19, 2025
This book is very helpful for the CHD community. I’m thankful for the authors for putting this out into the world.
December 31, 2025
Great book for anyone with lifelong health issues or CHD or anyone that cares for them. I wished I would have read this 20 years ago because I learned so much.
May 29, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews