Learn everything you can about your loved one’s diagnosis, tests that have been or will be performed, and available treatments. For general information, you can use valuable resources such as this site. For specific information about your loved one’s medical status, your loved one’s medical team will likely be open to your questions.

If you live with your loved one, then it will also be important to learn how to prepare for an emergency. Just to be safe, you and your loved one should know in advance where the nearest hospital is that can handle a cardiac emergency, that lists your loved one’s physician as having hospital privileges and that is covered by health insurance. You should also keep a list of the current medications and dosages that your loved one is taking. Finally, keep the physician’s number by the phone at all times.