Hi all - I had my heart attack in Spain three weeks ago while on holiday. I'm back in the UK now and have seen my GP and was in the NHS hospital for a few days. I feel like as I had my heart attack in Spain I am not properly in the NHS system ( I am a Brit). They talked about booking me into cardio rehab when I was in hospital but I have not received any letters or appointments.
I want to start asap. Feel I need it. Do I need a referral or can I just call up and book myself in?
Hi Rupes88
You will need to be referred to rehab, you won't be able to book yourself into it. The hospital should have passed your details to the local cardio rehab team. The cardio rehab where I live get in touch fairly quickly. The first thing is you have an initial assessment, then if they agree you're OK to go to the gym you have a exercise tolerance test on a treadmill where they attach an ecg and measure you blood pressure to determine what level of exercise you can start at, and finally they'll give you a date for when you can start rehab.
There is a big demand for this excellent service so it does take quite a bit of time to get to the point of actually going to the gym.
Many thanks, I'll hold tight and will keep an eye out for the postman!
You do need a referral. Having said that it is usual for them to wait for six weeks before calling you to allow the stent to settle in. If there is a waiting list for places it is even longer. The first lot of rehab is what I would call "P.E for 5 year olds" but you are monitored and there are cardiac nurses on hand. The age range was 28 - 84 years in my group. You need this eight week course to build your confidence, exchange views with others and do the lectures (don;t skip them, they are really useful covering diet, medications, stents and daily life ). It seems easy but it is a good way of not overdoing it and letting you test your limits. One young man in my group was determined to be the fastest and most competitive in the group. He was super fit before his heart attack and felt unable to build up gradually. So in denial. I found him week five in the car park with his GTN spray and he confessed every week he had been using it after the class and he had to wait at least 20 mins before he recovered enough to drive home..... and yes I did dob him in to the nurses. Once you have finished that course you can go on to a local rehab class. I've been doing it for just over a year and it has really been the making of me: we have an excellent instructor. Again you need to be referred, the cardiac nurse will fill out the paperwork and you sign it - then you wait for a place.
I go twice a week (an hour each time), warm up, small circuit activities and then into the gym, bike, rower, treadmill, then cool down. Most people go once.
I can;t praise the scheme enough. We;re charged £3.10 a session.
Hope the above is of interest. Good luck but take it steady - looking back I realise I was more battered both physically and mentally than I thought at the time.. This is a great site and everyone tries to help. Good luck
Terrific - thanks so much. I'll put my "ego" back in the box. This sounds just what I need right now. Wish I'd found this site a week ago. Thanks again.
The cardiac nurse usually comes to see you just before you’re discharged from hospital. I would ring them to ask if you’re on their list. They also make sure you’re booked in for the review appointment at the hospital. The cardiac nurse usually gives an information pack about diet and heart health and drugs on discharge from hospital. All these leaflets can be downloaded from the BHF website.
Good idea Maisie2014 - I didn't get any of that when I left the NHS. I can only assume as I had my heart attack broad I'm not in the tradional "work flow". Thanks I'll follow up.
Hi Rupes 88,
I had a HA and 2 stents on 15 July. I called the Cardio Rehab nurse 3 weeks after and they said it would be another few weeks until I received a letter. I was being impatient and wanted to start getting on with it. I now have my first rehab app on 25 Sept but I am glad I have had a longer period to wait as I have now got used to my own body and come to terms more with it all before I start. I have a list of questions about medication, diet and exercise to ask. So, I would recommend waiting, getting used to the changes in your body and mind and keeping positive as much as possible. This forum is full of amazing people giving amazing advice so I get a lot of answers to my questions on here. Take care 😊
I was referred for cardio rehab at the local hospital. When I chased them up o got the impression that if the patient does not chase up they do not chase up the patient but I suspect this varies with postcode. I had to attend an initial assessment where they subsequently wrote to my GP to say I was overweight (BMI just over 25 by their calculation but just over 24 by the height adjusted for those above/below average height). He disregarded it!
the situation is different across the country, so depends on where you live.
I had cardiac rehab after first AVR 5 yrs ago. They contacted me (hosp will refer) within 2 weeks of return home and I was booked for assessment after review apt with surgical team. Rehab was brilliant - weekly circuit training under beady eyes of cardiac nurses and exercise specialists, weekly talks which were so helpful and comforting. Group of between 10 - 12 and yes, some chaps who were determined to give Ussain Bolt a run for his money (so to speak) but the majority of us slightly calmer. It was hard work but fun. Did cardio, weights, flexibility. Following initial course, and all being well, transferred to local leisure centre for stage 4 - same circuit, same exercise instructors just no medics on hand. Stayed with this for about a year before pressure of work meant I had to rethink and as no evening classes, had to give up.
Had repeat AVR in June this year. Different story. I received the referral letter and info and eventually rang the rehab team after my surgical review at 8 weeks. Assessment is at end Sept and I may get place on programme (or not, depending on some ongoing issues) in mid to end Oct. A five month wait. Its not great and means that people like me, now mostly retired, will be able to go but others will have had to return to work and may never get the benefit. When I asked about the delay I was told 'cuts'. Oh and the programme is now 8 weekly gym/education sessions not twelve, but stage 4 still available.
If you have not heard, contact your GP who can also refer you. There is no reason why you should not be able to attend and have fun when you do!
Yay asking for a referral from my Gp worked. 
Do I need to worry?
I’m new here, but wanted to share a positive message and touch on post heart attack mental health 
New symptoms and cardio referral
