Cardiac Rehabilitation
What is cardiac rehabilitation?
If you have had a heart
attack or heart
surgery, cardiac rehabilitation gives you and
your family the information, support and advice you need to get you
back on your feet again.
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 www.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.
Download our Cardiac
rehabilitation booklet as well
as order resources such as the below from our
publications section:
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