Cardiac rehabilitation report

Download the full report below or read on for a summary of our patients' perspectives.

What is cardiac rehabilitation?

Cardiac rehabilitation is a programme of exercise, education and wellbeing sessions.

It helps people get back to as full a life as possible after a cardiac event such as a heart attack, heart surgery or stent procedure. Cardiac rehabilitation can also benefit people diagnosed with a range of heart conditions including heart failure.

The impact of the pandemic

Before the pandemic, the majority of cardiac rehabilitation programmes were delivered face to face in a group setting.

These were replaced with home based and digital options, allowing patients to still safely receive rehabilitation away from a clinical setting.

Results of our research

Our findings are shown in relation to the three stages of the cardiac rehabilitation programme.

1. Assessment

73% of patients would have preferred their initial assessment to be face to face, but only 40% received it in this way.
Only 24% were able to have a family member or friend present at their assessment.

2. Core programme

66% were not able to change their mode of delivery once they had started their programme.
76% used some form of technology during their rehabilitation.

3. Discharge

30% of patients received a face to face discharge assessment, but 70% would have preferred this.
Only 45% agreed that they were aware of what services were available in their local area.

Improvements that can be made

Delivering a more personalised approach to cardiac rehabilitation

Patients would like the flexibility to choose how they engage with their rehabilitation programme. They could attend their sessions face to face, online, over the phone or participate in a home-based programme.

Services should aim to incorporate and offer as many modes as possible for both the exercise and education sessions. This ensures the programme is tailored to the patient's individual needs and preferences.

The use of technology reassured many patients that they were exercising at a safe level and able to monitor their heart rate and blood pressure. But this does not suit everyone.

Encourage support from peers, family and friends

The desire to include friends and family, support peers and share personal experiences is hugely important.

This does not have to happen in person. Social media platforms, virtual gatherings and telephone support all help to remove the feeling of isolation.

How we did our research

From January to June 2022, over 200 patients from the UK volunteered to give their personal experiences of cardiac rehabilitation.

We asked them to complete an online survey and we also hosted two focus groups. Patients were asked questions like:

How was your cardiac rehabilitation programme delivered?
Did using technology such as web platforms and home blood pressure monitors aid your recovery?
Were you able to engage with others going through the programme?
Have you been able to sustain positive changes to your lifestyle since you completed your rehabilitation programme?

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