The virtues of cardiac rehab.

[PeterJemmett]

If you’re wondering what cardiac rehab is all about and if you should attend then please read this extract from a blog I wrote when I was still in hospital contemplating my future ….

‘With all this spare time you start to ponder on things - what if this happened earlier in the walk?, when I was in some remote isolated inaccessible place, there had been next to nobody about the entire course apart from the shooting party and another couple out for a walk. I had been lucky this had just been a mild heart attack near the end of the walk and I was still able to return to my car, but was a serious warning that needed notice. It had only been just a little over 3.5 years since I had my last stent and the fact that I could deteriorate to the point of a heart attack in such a short time worried me. With further 'untreated' narrowed arteries it felt like a ticking time-bomb waiting for the next incident, it was left to me to monitor how I felt but surely any further deterioration would be slow and hard to detect and if I carry on the way I was going it would be just a matter of time before that bomb goes off - again.

It was time to make some resolute changes to my lifestyle.

So, when cardiac rehabilitation nurse invited me to attend the rehab sessions I practically bit her hand off. I found that after my first heart event in 2013 the uncertainly in your own ability to carry out even the most mundane tasks like climbing the stairs or lifting the shopping makes you almost too afraid to even try, that you might be over exerting yourself and god forbid, that you will give yourself a heart attack – it’s a real fear. Attending those first rehab classes had rebuilt my confidence, given me the belief that I could get back to a normal life and that playing with the grandkids wasn’t life threatening and I wanted that same reassurance again, but this time make proper long-term changes to my routines & diet with more determination to improve my health & fitness so I wouldn’t be back in another 3.5 years.’

18 month’s on and aged 60 I’m now running the local weekly 5km parkrun (and getting faster) and even considering trying my hand at a 10km run. I hadn’t ran since 1985

My whole story … peterjemmett.blogspot.com/

Graph - see comment re. parkruns below.

[Daveslookingforwards]

Hello Peter

I congratulate you on your attitude and amazing fitness, I also have a lot to thank the Cardiac Rehab Team in Hull for, I watched “Trust me I am a Doctor “ the other night and only 50% take up the offer which did surprise me except I nearly quit before hand because it brought back the feeling of being ill even when I had been out of hospital three months after my heart attack in March of this year.

I am extremely grateful that they suggested I stay and complete which I did and now I feel amazing and as mentioned before in another post have a fantastic new job.

Good luck with the run

Thanks

Dave

[PeterJemmett in reply to Daveslookingforwards]

Thank you for your comments Dave, having been through rehab twice I really strongly recommend anyone having a recent heart event to attend.

For me rehab was just the beginning of a sequence of activities which has help me to lose weight and increase my fitness levels and in doing so hopefully reduce the risk of further heart problems. Rehab rebuilt my initial confidence allowing me to then go on to attend the FFIT course and start the parkrun (it’s all in my blog)

[Qualipop]

I wasn't even given the chance which worries me immensely as I have two more badly blocked arteries so I'm afraid to try doing very much at all. I'm disabled so exercise bikes and treadmills are out for me but I'm sure there must be something I can do instead of being constantly told" Oh you won't be able to do that". My rehab nurse seems to have no answers at all.

[Shoshov]

Hi qualipop try another hospital group. If you look at BHF video about rehab you see people sitting doing exercises in class. I'm barred from mine at the moment as I keep passing out but find it really worthwhile and I really miss it. The thing is there's a physio in class too who should be able to show you ways to build your fitness and confidence at the same time. You've not let your disability stop you before so don't now. Stand up for yourself girl. Good luck my friend. Shiona

[mandm65]

Another thumbs up for rehab, below achievement is not entirely attributed to rehab team but they played the crucial part in building the initial confidence.

healthunlocked.com/bhf/post...

[PeterJemmett]

This is exactly the point I'm trying to put across, rehab will help you during the period of doubt when you have no idea of your ability, it will give you the confidence to go on and hopefully improve your lifestyle. I realise all I've written within my blog will not suit everyone and it purely an account of all I have been through and what I have achieved.

I'm really pleased with my parkruns, I hadn't even jogged at all in years and doubted I could do it when I started back last Oct, since then I have become part of the friendly parkrun community and met some really good people who have helped with my pacing. When I set out I was jogging/walking all my way around, I now jog/run the complete course in ever faster times .... and it all started at rehab!

I have added a graph to my original post showing how I have progressed on parkrun.