The field of cardiopulmonary medicine becomes more complex with every medical breakthrough making the understanding of scope of care and available treatment options staggering. It is paramount that the patients of today have a vital source of information, conveniently presented in words that they can understand at their fingertips for the ability to make informed medical decisions. It has been our experience that mom, dad, grandma and grandpa often understand far less than we give them credit for when it comes to their medical care. It may be up to you to bear the responsibility of understanding and guiding them in their decision-making process. In the past doctors and nurses were "wonder-workers" held in the highest esteem and never questioned. Medicine has advanced so much that every patient and significant other must become an informed consumer.