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Cardiac Rehabilitation
Introduction
The Cardiac rehabilitation team aims to give patients infomation and support needed to make the best possible recovery following a cardiac event.The infomation contained on this page reflects the latest evidence avaliable to help you make informed choices about your recovery.
Patients will be seen in hospital by a member of the cardiac rehabilitation team to discuss initial recovery,helping prepare for the first few weeks at home.
Cardiac event
The term cardiac event is used to describe the following conditions;
•Myocardial infarction (Heart attack)
•Angina
•Acute Coronary syndrome
•Coronary artery bypass surgery
•Angioplasty
Having any of this conditions means you have coronary heart disease(CHD). CHD is long term and you will have it for the rest of your life. There are many things that you can do to manage your condition and help yourslf to return to as full and active life as possible
Coronary Heart Disease
Your heart is a large, hollow muscle, which continuously pumps blood around the
body. The heart muscle needs its own blood supply to work properly. The coronary arteries carry blood (and therefore oxygen) to your heart muscle.
Over a period of time, usually many years, the coronary arteries can become narrowed. They are usually narrowed because “fatty deposits” (atheroma) are laid down in the lining of the coronary artery. This process is called coronary heart disease.
Risk Factors for Coronary Heart Disease
Risk factors are things that we know make it more likely that you will develop
coronary heart disease. Risk factors are often related to your lifestyle and are
therefore in your control. You can do something about them.
- Smoking
- High Blood Pressure
- High Cholesterol Levels
- Lack of Exercise
- Prolonged Stress
- Obesity
- Excess Alcohol
• Age
• Family History
• Gender
By adopting a healthy lifestyle and reducing your risk factors you can greatly reduce your chances of having another cardiac event.
Reducing one risk factor can have great benefits and with time, reducing as many risk factors as you can, will give you the best chance of making a full recovery.
People with diabetes have an increased risk of developing coronary heart disease. It is particulary important that your diabetes is well controlled and that you reduce any other risk factors you have. Ask a member of the cardiac rehabilitation team for specific advice.
Cardiac rehabilitation programme
The group cardiac rehabilitation programme consists of seven weekly sessions, each lasting 2 hours, programmes run by the Gloucestershire Cardiac Rehabilitation team are avaliable in: -
•Cheltenham
•Cinderford
•Cirencester
•Gloucester
•The Reddings
•Stroud
The team aim to offer a place on a programme in a location and on dates that suit you. After a cardiac eventor heart surgery most people are ready to start a programme after approximately 4-8 weeks. After an angioplasty without any other cardiac event patients may be able to start straight away.
Expect to be in groups of about 12-14 people, you may also bring your partner or a friend should you wish. Each week an exercise specialist, a psychologist and nurse will offer a programme of education, advice and support on all aspects of recovering from your cardiac event. A dietitian will attend one of the sessions.
You will be given the most upto date infomation and have the opportunity to discuss your progress, there is also the opportunity to participate in supervised excercise sessions.
Research shows that patients who follow the cardiac rehabilitation programme are able to do more, feel more confident and enjoy a healthier life style. It is possible for you to improve how well your heart works and reduce the risk of having another cardiac event. The rehabilitation team are there to help you make the best recovery you can.
