Art attack for heart health

DANDENONG artist Nelus Oana has put his heart on his sleeve – and on canvas – to support an appeal for cardiac health.
He’ll be the keynote speaker at the Heart Art official launch at Monash Medical Centre on 12 February, which is part of the Love Your Heart Day Appeal.
Mr Oana had a heart attack in February 2011 and was successfully treated at MonashHeart, Victoria’s biggest heart attack centre.
He donated his painting Heart Attack to the MonashHeart Coronary Care Unit, where it’s proudly displayed at the entrance.
Heart Art will bring together 40 exhibits featuring prints, paintings and multimedia works themed around the heart.
Artists have explored the heart as a symbol of life and love as well as in its anatomical form.
MonashHeart director Professor Ian Meredith said the inaugural Heart Art exhibition would be a tribute to survivors of Australia’s number one killer – heart disease.
“As many of us understand, hospitals can be an intimidating and alienating environment for patients,” he said.
“With a hospital’s necessary but heavy emphasis on the scientific and technological, the emotional human aspects can be minimised.
“Research shows that a less stressful surrounding and positive diversions from one’s immediate health concerns contribute to a swifter recovery, both emotionally and physiologically.”
The exhibition will promote the Love Your Heart Day Appeal, from 11 to 15 February.
MonashHeart, Southern Health’s cardiac care unit, is urging Australian’s to think not only with their heart, but about their heart this Valentine’s Day.
It aims to raise $100,000 for Acute Cardiac Care (ACC) Smart Screens – much like giant smart phones – to enhance crucial communication between doctors and their patients.
Doctors will use the devices to display dynamic, interactive images of the patient’s condition, the surgical procedure performed, and the expected post-operative recovery process.
Prof Meredith said for doctors, describing complex medical images or translating scientific terminologies was extremely challenging.
“And for patients, understanding those descriptions is exceptionally difficult – especially when they are critically ill and struggling to focus,” he said.
“Providing timely, easy-to-understand information in the optimal format will allay the anxieties of our patients and their concerned families, and empower them in decision-making about their health care and recovery.”
Heart Art will be on display in the arts space at Monash Medical Centre, from 5.30pm on 12 February.
Visit www.facebook.com/heartstarters for more information about MonashHeart.