AKA: Heart Problems, Heart Surgery, Cardiac Patients, Heart Defects
Unlocking the complexities of heart disease is essential for a healthier, longer life. As a broad term encompassing various cardiac issues, heart disease, or cardiovascular disease, takes center stage not only as the leading cause of death in the United States but now personally as I had to go through my father undergoing open heart surgery for a diseased heart valve.
There are different types of heart disease, ranging from those you are born with called congenital conditions to those developed over a lifetime. The causes of heart disease depend on the type of disease. Some possible causes include lifestyle, genetics, infections, medicines, and other diseases. There are also many different factors that can make you more likely to develop heart disease, some of which you can change and some you can’t. Things like age, sex, race, lifestyle habits and many others.
Treatment for heart disease is tailored to individual circumstances, considering the specific type, severity of symptoms, and coexisting health conditions. Approaches may encompass heart-healthy lifestyle modifications, incorporating dietary changes, regular exercise, and stress management. Medications play a crucial role in managing heart conditions, aiming to control risk factors like high blood pressure and cholesterol. In more serious cases, procedures or surgeries may be recommended to address issues such as arterial blockages. Additionally, cardiac rehabilitation programs offer structured support for recovery. While comprehensive treatment plans exist, the spotlight also falls on prevention, emphasizing the importance of adopting heart-healthy lifestyles and effectively managing associated medical conditions to mitigate the risk of heart diseases.
For individuals grappling with heart problems, turning to the practice of praying to the saints known for their compassion and understanding, is often a source of spiritual comfort. This act of reaching out to saints not only provides a sense of emotional support but also fosters a deep spiritual connection, offering a channel through which individuals can express their hopes and concerns in the face of navigating the complexities of heart-related issues.
Who is the Patron Saint of Heart Disease
When you search for the Patron Saint of Heart Disease, there is really only one saint that comes up. His name is St. John of God. And while he doesn’t have a direct connection to heart disease, he is a very popular saint to venerate when you suffer with your heart.
The life of St. John of God is a compelling narrative marked by a journey of spiritual discovery and unwavering commitment to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. From a young age, John followed the impulses of his heart, a journey that led him to leave his biological family at eight years old in pursuit of the new world, guided by a priest's tales. Despite his impulsive nature, once he made a decision, he adhered to it steadfastly, enduring hardships without faltering.
His life took a transformative turn when he joined the Spanish army at the age of thirty, mirroring a period of sin and revelry like that of St. Ignatius. A near-death experience prompted John to reform his life. His quest for martyrdom in Africa eventually led him back to Spain, where he underwent a spiritual awakening after hearing a homily from St. John of Avila. Selling his possessions to help others, John faced misunderstanding and was even placed in a mental hospital. Undeterred, he turned his attention to caring for patients, eventually founding the Brothers Hospitallers.
St. John of God's journey, characterized by moments of revelry, spiritual vacillation, and ultimate dedication to God, resonates with many. His later life exemplified a commitment to following his heart, even in the face of ridicule and mental health concerns. Despite the challenges, he allowed his heart, guided by what he discerned to be God's will, to shape his path. As the patron saint of the heart, St. John of God not only embodies healing for physical ailments but also serves as an inspiration for those navigating life by following the promptings of God in their hearts.
Click here for our list of Patron Saints.
Prayers for Heart Problems
Prayer to St. John of God for Heart Patients
Saint John of God, I honor thee as the Patron of the Sick, especially of those who are afflicted by heart disease. I choose thee to be my patron and protector in my present illness. To thee I entrust my soul, my body, all my spiritual and temporal interests, as well as those of the sick throughout the world. To thee I consecrate my mind, that in all things it may be enlightened by faith above all in accepting my cross as a blessing from God; my heart, that thou doth keep it pure and fill it with the love for Jesus and Mary that burned in thy heart; my will, that like thine, it may always be one with the Will of God.
Good Saint John, I honor thee as the model of penitents, for thou didst receive the grace to give up a sinful life and to atone for thy sins by untiring labors in behalf of the poor and sick. Obtain for me the grace from God to be truly sorry for my sins, to make atonement for them and never again offend God. Aid me in mastering my evil inclinations and temptations, and in avoiding all occasions of sin. Through thine intercession may I obtain the grace from Jesus and Mary to fulfill faithfully all the duties of my state of life and to practice those virtues which are needful for my salvation. Help me to belong to God and Our Lady in life and in death through perfect love. May my life, like thine, be spent in the untiring service of God and my neighbor.
Since Holy Mother Church also invokes thee in her prayers for the dying, I beg thee to be with me in my last hour and pray for me. As thou didst die kneeling before a crucifix, may I find strength, consolation and salvation in the Cross of my Redeemer, and through His tender mercy and the prayers of Our Lady, and through thine intercession, attain to eternal life.
Amen.
Prayer to St. John of God for a Healthy Heart
Saint John of God, you are honored as the patron of those who are afflicted by heart disease. Obtain for me the grace from God to be well again. Bless me with a healthy heart, I ask you for your intercession and help. Grant that I receive the favor for which I now ask through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
Related Patron Saint Jewelry and Rosaries
Buy some beautiful St. John of God jewelry to keep you or your loved one close to the patron saint of heart patients and be a symbol of your faith.
