Cardiac Rehabilitation
Cardiac rehabilitation is a programme of
exercise and information sessions that help you get back to
everyday life as quickly as possible. It aims to help you:
- understand your condition
- recover from your surgery or heart attack
- make changes to your lifestyle that will help improve your
heart health
- reduce the risk of a heart attack.
Who is it for?
Cardiac rehabilitation is available to anyone who has
had:
Cardiac rehabilitation programmes can also help some people who
have angina or heart failure.
When do I start cardiac rehabilitation?
Cardiac
rehabilitation starts as soon as you go into hospital for your
angioplasty or surgery.
A member of the cardiac rehabilitation team will normally visit
you on the ward to provide you with information about your
condition and about the treatment you've had. They
can also provide you with information about your
condition and recovery, as well as helping you get back to
your usual activities.
You should also be invited to join a cardiac rehabilitation
programme starting about four to eight weeks after you leave
hospital.
Where is my nearest cardiac rehabilitation programme?
You can find out where your nearest cardiac rehabilitation
programme is by visiting cardiac-rehabilitation.net or
calling the BHF Heart HelpLine on
0300 330 3311.
What if I can't attend a cardiac rehabilitation programme?
You may find that your condition or circumstances make it
difficult for you to travel to a cardiac rehabilitation programme
centre. If so, you should talk to the cardiac rehabilitation team
about other ways you can benefit from the programme - you may
be able to follow a programme in your own home with support
from your local cardiac rehabilitation team.
Up to 38% of heart patients in England, Wales and Northern
Ireland who need cardiac rehabilitation don't have access to
it. Help us by joining our National Campaign
for Cardiac Rehabilitation to ensure more people receive
life-saving cardiac rehabilitation.
More information
Joining a Heart Support Group can
give you and your family the support and opportunity to meet
and talk to people who have gone through similar experiences.
Joining our Online Community will give you
the opportunity to share your experiences, stories, tips and
ideas with other people like you.
Download our Cardiac
rehabilitation booklet as well as order resources
such as the below from our publications section:
