I started out going to get assessed on 28th January 2019 after my heart attack/cardiac arrest on 28th December 2018.At the time I was still physically knackered after the CPR I received when I went into arrest, but didn't let on how much pain I was in - I needed so badly to get to rehab to find out if I could recover, at that point I serious wondered if I could! Due to the demand for the service I finally started in the gym on 19th March 2019, with my ribs/chest still in some discomfort after the CPR. The start really wasn't very promising - I started out on the treadmill at 0% incline and at 2.6 kph. Mo Farah had no need to worry about me challenging his speeds any time soon. Still it was a start, and I went home with some hope re-established but feeling even more knackered even though the whole program to start with only lasted 25 minutes!
And so the weeks went by - rehab gym 1pm every Tuesday and Thursday, alongside the various educational sessions covering all aspects of my new condition, until finally June had arrived and my 12 weeks were over, that is, over for now, as I was having an ICD implanted on 19th August so after the wound had healed I'd be going back to rehab for a further 12 weeks.
So on 15th October I was back for another exercise tolerance test and back in the gym on 22nd October for another 12 weeks. Back in the old routine 1pm every Tuesday and Thursday, with a 10 day break for Christmas - then back in on Thursday 2nd January - quite surprised to find that there was a veritable scrum of us jostling to get into the gym on 2nd January, who'd have thought!
And so I've got to today, when I started off it was 0% incline and 2.6 kpm and a program lasting 25 and now it's 6% incline and 6.5 kpm and the program lasts nearly 2 hours - I know all these figures because when I started I kept a diary so that I could (hopefully) document my progress as I went along which I hoped would encourage me to keep going.
Going to St Caths over the last year has very much become part of my routine, and while I'm moving up to the 6th form and will be off to Stage 4 in The Concourse Leisure Centre, I am going to miss this place, but most of all I'm going to miss the staff, who helped me understand my condition, comforted me, re-assured me as I went along, but most of all got me back to where I am now.I really could not have done this on my own.
For anyone reading this who has yet to be assessed, or are waiting to start rehab, I hope this post will encourage you to give it your best shot, it is such a worthwhile service, and I hope you can get as much benefit out of it as I have.
Written by
SpiritoftheFloyd
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Yours is such an encouraging and inspirational account which I am sure will help many. Sounds like your rehab was high quality and supportive and you definitely gave it 100% congratulations and pleased you are in a better place
That's brilliant Spiritofthefloyd. I wish someone would kick my backside . My get up and go has got up and gone. I've put loads of weight on and lots of inches on. I hate my body, I used to be very fit, since I've had angina things haven't been so good. Anyway really pleased for you . Sheena
well done. i’m hoping to finish up on monday. like you it’s been a long journey. 2years for me. i’m so looking forward to being able to try new things. onwards and upwards buddy. like you i can’t thank the staff enough. cartainly a fantastic facility❤️shiona
Great post Spirit. It would be great if this helps motivate others to do cardio rehab. I also found the sessions useful. After my first stent op I was really concerned as to how far I could push myself. The nhs cardio rehab guys were great and gave me the confidence to start building my exercise regime back up again. Two years later I was back in again for another stent op and cardio rehab was again invaluable. Big shout out to the nhs cardio rehab teams 🙂
I missed St Caths & all the staff there as well when I finished there as well, Russell, they were like part of the family but onwards & upwards for you now. Good luck in the gym at West Kirby, it’s different but I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.
Who is the cardiac nurse/physio there now? Last year it was Jamie, who I know has left there now & then Antonio.
Antonio is a lovely person. He’s from the Murcia region of Spain which is very close to where we lived in Spain before we came to the Wirral. I tried to practice my Spanish at times whilst I was there.
I’m glad you enjoyed rehab, I can’t wait up start mine. Unfortunately I was assessed last week but with still having discomfort they don’t recommend it. I’m itching to start miss my exercise. Keep up the good work x
Nice to hear you've enjoyed it. I had my triple CABG 9 months ago. Enjoyed the rehab sessions but alas it came to the end of the twelve weeks too soon. Not being a gym sort of person, I wasn't looking forward to the stage 4 optional rehab. But I must say, I've enjoyed it. Its improved my overall outlook. Now been going some 6 months.
Very inspiring story SpiritoftheFloyd. At my place they don't kick you out after 12 weeks but I'm hoping one day to join you in the 6th form. The trainer who does the cardiac rehab class has given me a personal programme for working on my own in the gym as well as the once a week class, so looking forward to getting going with that.
Oh lucky you, I've heard that this happens in a number of rehab sites around the country. Sadly the demand locally is such that after 12 weeks you're out the door - I'd love to be able to sneak in every week, but they all know me by now so I'd be spotted !
Thank you for one of the best posts ever on your honest journey with Cardio Rehab.
My husband was reluctant to go at first and that was 20 years ago.
He reluctantly went, discouraged, depressed and afraid. To his amazement he made friends, discovered he was not alone and came out a better person realizing that he indeed had been given a second chance .
An amazing program for self healing and self awareness.
Thank you. I wasn't reluctant to go, more a case of desperate to go, despite not been in a gym before.
I was surprised at the number of people who turned up for a week or two and then weren't seen again. In addition to the number who only do a couple of visits there are a large number of just don't respond to the offer of rehab, which is a terrible shame, it's free, it's managed and you virtually get a private trainer - people pay a fortune for this in a private gym.
I've banged on about rehab for the last year, I think it is one of the best services provided by the NHS, and if my post persuades one person to give it a go rather than ignore the call up then the post was worthwhile.
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Appointment with Cardiac Rehab Physio tomorrow pm
Rehab, the Reboot
Cardio réhabilitation 
Cardio rehabilitation 
Any rehab exercise suggestions for 6 week post surgery?
