The American Heart Association is affiliated with The Mended Hearts Inc. This is a nationwide patient support organization for people with heart disease, their families, medical professionals and other interested people.

Mended Hearts has more than 21,000 members operating mainly through 285 community-based chapters across the United States, with two in Canada. Chapters partner with more than 450 hospitals and cardiac care facilities in providing patient-to-patient support services.

Annually, Mended Hearts trained and accredited volunteers make about 198,000 in-person visits to patients and more than 30,000 in-person visits to family members and caregivers —reaching 160,000 patients/households. About 6,706 people gained support last year by connecting with a Mended Hearts volunteer through its Internet Visiting Program and Toll-Free Helpline.

Recognizing that heart patients are of all ages, the Mended Little Hearts program was launched in 2004.  The newest program provides support and encouragement to parents of children born with congenital heart defects or who have heart disease.

To learn about your nearest Mended Hearts chapter, contact the American Heart Association office near you. You can also call 1-800-AHA-USA1 (1-800-242-8721) and ask for Mended Hearts support or log on at www.mendedhearts.org. Additionally, Mended Hearts can be reached on weekdays at 1-888-HEART99.

Other support groups for heart patients may be near you. To learn about them, contact your hospital social service department or the state or local department of social services