Cardiac rehabilitation
What is cardiac rehabilitation?
The aim of a cardiac rehabilitation programme is to promote your recovery and restore you to as full a life as possible following a heart event.
This programme is a step to enable you to maintain regular exercise and lifestyle changes.
Cardiac rehabilitation is part of Bexley's community services and is provided in your local community.The team consists of a senior cardiac nurse, a senior cardiac fitness instructor.Sessions are held, twice a week on Tuesday and Friday on mornings or afternoons
Who is eligible for the service?
Anyone who has suffered a heart attack or had a heart operation, sometimes known as a 'cardiac event'is eligible for referral to a cardiac rehabilitation programme. You can however only access the service if your hospital or GP has referred you.
What is involved?
Exercise
With support and advice, we will help you to start and encourage you to continue exercising and give you advice on how to exercise at home.
Following a structured, supervised programme, you will feel confident to exercise either by yourself or with others in the future. Toward the end of the course we will continue to give you advice and encouragement for future exercise and to maintain any lifestyle changes you have made.
We can refer you to a local gym or sports centre for further specialist exercise programmes for cardiac rehabilitation so you may continue your rehabilitation if you wish.
Education
We will offer you advice on diet, medication, information about your heart and how to look after it as well as the physical and psychological effects of a cardiac event.The education programme is aimed at helping you understand your condition, and measures you can take in order to minimise any further heart problems.
Relaxation
An important part of the programme. We will offer you advice on how to relax properly, practise relaxation and the importance of reducing stress levels.
What do I need?
No fancy training shoes are needed. Just loose, comfortable clothing which you are able to stretch and move in and some soft comfortable shoes.
What we need from you
We need you to tell us:
- how you are feeling
- what you can and cannot do
- if you find things difficult
- how you have been between sessions.
- if anything changes to your symptoms or medication.
How do I attend a programme?
Whilst you were in hospital, you may have met the rehabilitation nurse. She will forward your details to your local cardiac rehabilitation co-ordinator.
Alternatively your GP may refer you if needed. You will be contacted by your local team by either telephone or letter and invited for an interview.
Contact us
If you would like further information about the service, contact the cardiac rehabilitation administration offices on Tel: 01273 478 666.
