Back to Cardio Rehab

[SpiritoftheFloyd]

I originally completed my 12 weeks of cardio rehab at the end of June. The rehab staff knew I was having an ICD implanted in August and said I'd be referred back to rehab for some further sessions after the procedure.

My ICD was implanted on 19th August in Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, and the rehab team made contact on 22nd August.

I was due to go and be assessed on 23rd September, but had a phone call yesterday to say that someone had cancelled their appointment for 9am today - would I be interested? Absolutely!

Just got back from St Caths, had the usual taken, BP, ECG, height and weight, all fine, figures virtually the same as they were when I finished rehab at the end of June, so no need to take an exercise tolerance test.

I'm booked it to be reviewed by the pacing clinic on 9th October, the cardio rehab will call me the following day to sort out my start date another 12 weeks in rehab.

Happy Days 😊

[Lezzers]

That's great, the re-hab so helped my husband. Is the pacing clinic a check to see of all OK with the ICD? I can't remember if you've got one but, if not, mention the the home monitor as sometimes they forget.

[SpiritoftheFloyd in reply to Lezzers]

Yes the pacing clinic is to take a reading of what, if anything, the ICD has done since being fitted and to check that all is OK - they'll be giving me a monitor to take home with me.

The nurse I saw in rehab this morning said to take someone with me, as her father when he was given a monitor forgot some of the instructions and she had to call the clinic for details - good point, two heads better than one!

I delighted to have got rehab all sorted out so quickly. I don't feel anything like as anxious as I was when I first went after my heart attack, but just feel a bit hesitant of doing damage to myself after the op, I know I probably can't but it's just reassuring to be in a facility with qualified medical people around you.

[Lezzers in reply to SpiritoftheFloyd]

Is this your first check up since the ICD was fitted?

[SpiritoftheFloyd in reply to Lezzers]

Yes, they said I'd be asked back in 6-8 weeks, return visit is just a bit over 7 weeks

[Lezzers in reply to SpiritoftheFloyd]

They'll probably run through the various noises the ICD can make. The low battery noise on the medtronic is a siren noise. I have hearing issues and when we were in Nice last year I could hear a faint siren so I immediately stuck my ear to his chest to hear better. He's response "was get off me, it's an ambulance across the road" oops 😂

[daveofpensby]

Hi

Went through rehab last year after heart attack and stents fitted Aug 18

St Caths rehab are great certainly helped me

Went back to Liverpool Heart And Chest last month thinking I ll be discharged but finding out I’ve got heart failure and need a pacemaker fitted a BIG SHOCK. Waiting to go in to have it fitted and then it will be back to St Caths rehab which helps no end

[Lezzers in reply to daveofpensby]

Hi Dave, my husband was diagnosed with HF in 2012 and had an ICD fitted soon after. It is a shock to be told that but really all it means is your heart needs a bit of help pumping, which your meds, healthy diet and exercise will all help with. You should be referred to a HF nurse if they're available in your area, if you haven't been referred ask your GP/cardiologist for a referral. Good luck with the re-hab, it really helped my husband with his confidence. Have you heard of the patient led heart failure charity called Pumping Marvellous?

[daveofpensby in reply to Lezzers]

Hi thanks for that

Just feel in limbo land at present waiting for things to happen and what I can realistically do in the way of exercise etc safely at the moment

[SpiritoftheFloyd in reply to daveofpensby]

Hi Dave

I had a heart attack and cardiac arrest in December 2018. I was told I had heart failure while in Broad Green. It's a massive shock when you first hear those words.

I did my first 12 weeks of rehab in St Caths during March to June, during that time a review in Broad Green advised having an ICD fitted as I was at risk of having an arrhythmia at some point in the future which could lead to a cardiac arrest, the ICD would prevent this.

Came away from the review totally gutted, I though I was well on the mend. Went to rehab the following day and gave them the news about ICD, they were so helpful explaining all about it and offering reassurance that having one fitted would be a good thing to do.

My EF is 30% and I'm classed as New York Heart Association Class 1 - meaning that while I have HF ordinary physical activity does not cause undue fatigue, palpitation, dyspnea (shortness of breath). When I started rehab they had me on a treadmill at 2.8 kph with no incline, by the end of the 12 weeks I was up to 6 kph with a 6% incline - I would never have believed at the outset that they could move me along to that level in 12 weeks. Can't wait to go back and do another 12 weeks, amazing place, they have helped me so much to come to terms with what has happened to me.

Try not to worry about it, it's just a term ( I prefer to call in Impaired Heart Function), it just a label, what matters is how you feel and how much you're able to do, reading through you're posts you sound like you're getting around pretty good so realistically nothing should change.

As Lezzers said get yourself a Heart Failure nurse allocated to you, they are based in St Caths and are a really good addition to your care, I see mine about once a month where she checks me over to ensure I'm OK - the beauty of this service is that they have the time to talk to you and understand how you are, until the 10 minute slot you get at you GP.

Good luck with the pacemaker procedure in Broad Green.

Russell

[daveofpensby in reply to SpiritoftheFloyd]

Thanks for that

At the moment just feel in limbo land I really need some one to talk to H F nurse hasn’t been alloyed yet

Going to ring BHF help line on Monday

Thanks very much for your reply it helps

[Qualipop]

That's great. After my HA a year ago I was point blank refused rehab because I use a wheelchair/mobility scooter. NOw 12 months on I've suddenly been offered rehab. WHat a turnabout.

[SpiritoftheFloyd in reply to Qualipop]

Well done. I'm sure you'll enjoy it, it really helped me get back on track after my heart attack.

[DeirdreKury55 in reply to SpiritoftheFloyd]

Hi, I hope you've recovered and are doing well. I would like to ask you how you feel a year after the ICD implant. My uncle recently got an implant and we have very little information about it. He began to recieve treatment in a clinic that helps after a drug overdose promis.co.uk/ and I with all my family are very worried about his health because after he took a very large dose, his heart almost stopped. I really hope that he will recover as he is in a very serious condition and I can't even visit him because of the quarantine in the country.