Cardiac rehabilitation

[Markyboy1903]

Start my cardiac rehabilitation exercise program on Monday woo woo 😊 Finally got something to fill my time with as the rot was setting in👍 Was put forward for this after my stents but no point doing it with the OHS still to happen.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Couple of tips: i) pop to the loo before the start to avoid trying to discretely pop out, ii) take a bottle of water to keep hydrated.

Oh third tip: Enjoy!

[Markyboy1903 in reply to MichaelJH]

Ha ha yeah will do 😀

[Markyboy1903]

Thank you 🙂 yeah it's hasn't been long and it's a long journey back. This will be to see where I am fitness wise. Cardiac nurse is coming to house tomorrow morning anyway to do bloods so I'll get more info. I know they never used to take congenital heart patients in the past. Looking forward to this

[Handel]

Nice one! There may be a lot of paperwork to fill in before you start (just hubby's experience). Can't believe 9 weeks has passed! Good luck to you - you'll enjoy yourself!! xxx

[Markyboy1903 in reply to Handel]

Thank you 🙂I know it seems now to be flying in... my cardiac nurse is coming this morning to do fasting bloods for my diabetes so will grill her on what's intailed but aye looking forward to having a proper exercise program to focus on and meeting people in the same boat as myself. Hopefully is not all people in the later years. Start a heart health program with my local gp as well today don't know that involves though x

[not2worry in reply to Markyboy1903]

Cardiac rehab was the best medicine prescribed for my hubby after a 5-way bypass and that was 20 years ago.

You will discover you are not alone; you will discover yourself again; you will realize what a great 2nd chance you have been given and you will understand that you can be a ray of hope to others who may not be as enthusiastic about rehab as you are. Don’t be shy - share your emotions with others, encourage them, laugh with them and you will find yourself feeling great! The first time you miss a session everyone will miss you! It an opportunity to share the joy of being alive. And you will likely find the Nurses far more knowledgeable about the overall body and mind connection of those in cardiac recovery.

All the Best from Across the Pond

[Markyboy1903 in reply to not2worry]

Thank you 🙂 x

[Handel in reply to Markyboy1903]

Let us all know how you get on! xxxx

[Markyboy1903 in reply to Handel]

Will do 🙂🙂🙂 xx

[MydogBrandy]

Hi, my Colin was going to those, twice a week, Tuesdays for a talk on lifestyle followed by exercise, total of about three hours. Then Thursdays just the exercise for an hour. He was apprehensive but started to enjoy it and made many new friends, all with same in common so nice for him to discuss his feelings etc. He had to stop eight weeks ago when he had his kidney removed but is hoping to start again in a few weeks. He might have to have another stent.

The cardiac nurses have been in constant touch from the programme giving him a ring every couple of weeks to see how he is doing.

I would go for it and enjoy.

Regards Ursula x

[Markyboy1903 in reply to MydogBrandy]

Hi yeah my nurse was in this morning explaining things and thinks cause of my age I would be suited to the classes at the gym instead of the rehab center. More equipment and gym instructors as well as the nurses. Will discuss it on Monday. Agree with the meeting people as I don't have anyone in the same position and would be great to speak to fellow heart surgery patients.

Feel the same I'm apprehensive as well as I was reasonably fit before both my ops and get tired just going up a flight of stairs now 👎 will be good to have something to aim for though 👍 x

[Avarae in reply to Markyboy1903]

Hi Mark.let me know what it's like im starting mine few weeks time.thanks..cant wait

[Markyboy1903 in reply to Avarae]

Hi ya yeah will do. Class on Monday is just to work out my standing heart rate and measure what level to start with but it'll be the following week when I can get stuck in 🙂

[Avarae in reply to Markyboy1903]

Great..im going to rehab nurse to book in for it.be nice meeting others same as me and knowing how far I can push myself ..

[Markyboy1903 in reply to Avarae]

Yeah I'm the same no one around me understands what I've been through and hopefully even though a few will be like heart attack patients even though I had stents fitted through heart disease it would be good to meet fellow open heart surgery survivors as well. I was a keen fitness goer before all this and want to get back to some level within the next year 🤞 Need something to aim for

[Avarae in reply to Markyboy1903]

My brother had quadriple bypass 20 yrs ago and he's great..u will be too..i was lucky I suppose I had 1 stent in but mines FH a cholestral gene from parents so runs in my fam...good luck with your program ..

[NEPHIN]

Hi Mark

I am very pleased to hear you were referred for rehab.

I was not referred, despite other people I know who were.

I would love to be referred as it would give the incentive

to meet others, and get more health conscious.

[Markyboy1903 in reply to NEPHIN]

Hi I see you had stents fitted I was referred even after my stents but put back as I was waiting for my OHS. I live in the east of Scotland where it seems most if not all are put on the cardiac program. Do you know the reason why you weren't referred?

[IamMe2 in reply to NEPHIN]

You are not the only one, a friend who had a stent fitted was offered the whole package, but declined, as does not like to exercise, I had a bypass and even had to work hard to get a follow up appointment with my GP six weeks after. Nothing at all was offered to me. I have neither seen nor heard from anyone and it is now just over a year on.

Same surgery as aforementioned friend.

[NEPHIN]

None apart from declining health service

especially on admin side, they are hopeless

[Markyboy1903 in reply to NEPHIN]

That's a real shame 😕

[benjijen]

I go 3 times a week and have been going for over 2 years now. Best thing ever. Not on NHS but then there isn't enough money for them to pay for everything!

[emjay18]

I was quite fit before and after a triple bypass and was quite happy to fit into the local cardio rehab sessions, but I soon found that both I and my wife (who came and exercised) felt that once a week was inadequate for us and so we got a BHF Healthy Heart DVD to use a couple of times a week at home. It's quite simple and needs no gym gear but does help us get fitter. I recommend it.

[Markyboy1903 in reply to emjay18]

Yeah thanks just ordered one of the DVDs off their website thanks. Don't know if my downstairs neighbour will approve though 🙂 as like yourself I was fit before my surgery and need to get back to some extent as my work is a physical job. Want to go back in July with some confidence