Publications

This annual prospectus is published by the Federal Association for Children with Heart Diseases (BVHK) in the form of a magazine featuring reports by the member associations and heart-disease patients. It provides information on new research developments and social issues, and reports on BVHK projects and activities for children with heart diseases. The prospectus is published once a year and can be ordered from the BVHK for €1.45 (to cover postage).

Herzblatt is the journal of the paediatric section of the German Heart Foundation, written for parents of children with heart diseases. Articles by paediatric cardiologists and heart surgeons provide information on new methods of treatment and outline the perspectives offered by medical research. Psychologists provide practical advice, parents of children with heart diseases relate their experiences, and young adults with congenital heart defects also write about their lives. Each issue contains useful addresses and contacts. Herzblatt is sent to members of the association four times a year.

Herzblick is the journal of the self-help organisation Herzkind e. V.. It mainly addresses families bringing up a child with a heart disease. Its editors report on the work and meetings of the contact groups, and provide medical information, support and advice relating to congenital heart defects. The journal also reports on the daily lives of affected families. It is published four times a year and costs €3.45 (incl. postage).

Herz Heute is issued by the German Heart Foundation. Heart specialists and surgeons write in easily understood language about various heart diseases and how they can be treated, including new forms of therapy and alternative treatment methods. The journal also features tips on healthy living and articles in which heart patients talk about their own experiences. Herz Heute is published four times a year.

IDHK-Nachrichten is the news magazine published by the Interessengemeinschaft Das herzkranke Kind e. V. (IDHK). It contains descriptions of heart defects, articles on surgical methods, social issues and psychology, as well as reports by affected parents and other information contributed by the association and the Federal Association for Children with Heart Diseases. It appears three or four times a year and costs €8 for non-members (free for members).

The IDHK has compiled a “reference manual for parents of children with heart diseases”, which provides explanations of some of the major heart defects together with a description of the diagnostic and treatment methods employed. The manual is available in two bilingual versions at present: German and Turkish, and German and Russian.

It can be ordered via the Web site www.idhk.de.

Jemah News is the news magazine published by the association for young people and adults with congenital heart defects, JEMAH e.V.. The entire content is put together by the members themselves and addresses young people in the 16+ age group. Jemah News reports on the work of the association, provides factual medical information, and enables affected patients to talk about their own personal experiences. In a lighter vein, it also presents a guide to leisure activities and cultural events. There are usually four issues per year, each costing €2.