Going to the gym after stents

[MandyBacardi]

I am hoping somebody can point me in the right direction. My partner had a mild heart attack at the end of September last year and had 3 stents. He completed the Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme provided through the NHS. He would now like to join a local gym who require either a letter from his GP or for him to self certify that he is fit to attend a gym. Unfortunately having spoken to the GP they advised that they are no longer able to issue these letters even for a fee. Does anyone therefore have a form or something similar that he can complete to self certify that he is fit to join? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[NorthantsSteve]

Hi Mandy. I had a certificate from the cardio rehab team and also a letter to my doctor saying what I’d done and next steps. Does he have anything like that? I’d try contacting the cardio rehab team. I’m sure they’ll have something if you don’t have any of the above.

[MandyBacardi in reply to NorthantsSteve]

Thanks for replying. He got a form from the Cardiac rehab team but it is quite medical so when he showed it to the gym they said it didn't mean anything to them! He has contacted the Cardiac team again who advised that what they have given him should be sufficient! Feel like we are banging our heads against a brick wall at the moment 🙁

[NorthantsSteve in reply to MandyBacardi]

Yes. I can see that. Maybe the gym need to give you an example of what they would find acceptable?

[MandyBacardi in reply to NorthantsSteve]

We have been to the gym this afternoon as I thought they might have a self certificate form that we could just fill in but they don't. They told us to google it but I can't find any such form

[seasider18 in reply to MandyBacardi]

Try another Gym !

[Chappychap]

After completing cardio-rehab I looked at joining four local gyms. I was upfront about recently having open heart surgery. In all four cases the gyms concerned said they have plenty of members with a similar medical history, none of them requested any special clearance or authorisation.

Post heart surgery I've had a few tricky conversations with dentists, but gyms have been very straightforward!

Incidentally, respect to your partner for following up on cardio rehab with a more formal exercise programme, hope they enjoy it as much as I have!

[MandyBacardi in reply to Chappychap]

Thanks for your response and glad to hear that you are getting on well. We will keep persevering

[NorthantsSteve in reply to MandyBacardi]

You might need to change your gym. I have no idea what they’re thinking might be on the internet and why they think it has any value. Maybe they just want a disclaimer of some sort? Let us know how you get on.

[Fitandfearless in reply to NorthantsSteve]

Agree, I thunk this gym is the problem. Find one where they have a clue! I’d recommend getting a PT for a while to monitor progress as well, just for reassurance and a bit of output measurement.

[Handel in reply to MandyBacardi]

I feel for you both. Really annoying as your partner is only trying to keep on improving fitness.

I'd really try somewhere else! If you can be bothered, complain to the management!

All the very best. Let us know how you get on. xxxx

[Jules_peaceseeker in reply to Chappychap]

Dentists? I'd love to know more!

[werd]

You should have a cardiac rehab maintenance club in your area some where. It was once called stage 4 cardiac rehab I am from falkirk, ours is called keep ticking falkirk. Have a look at our website it will give you an idea of what to look for

Yours drew

[Fit2Ride]

Most (all!) gyms should require members to complete a Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PARQ). It is an industry standard and the gym should have one. An example is shown here: exerciseregister.org/media/...

I had two stents in December 2018 (fortunately I did not have a heart attack before this) and started gym exercise after completing cardio rehab. I have membership of a couple of gyms and, as I travel with my work, have completed numerous PARQs at hotel gyms. It is a basic requirement and is a form of self certification. It may be that the person you dealt with at the gym was not a fitness professional and may not be aware of these requirements (a bit worrying if this is the case as it really is a basic requirement) so it may be worth asking to speak to the gym manager or one of the fitness professionals.

[Domsa]

Hi. I had a large heart attack and stent fitted New Years Eve and started my NHS rehab last week. I’ve suspended my Gym membership as the classes I attended are currently too challenging (HIT spin, body pump) but will return in a couple of months as rehab progresses. However, Ive been very frustrated as I was missing being active and of course regular exercise is a key risk reduction so I’ve joined another gym with a studio full of equipment so I can start to build my cardio activity (tred mill, cross trainer, .....). Completed my induction Saturday and intend to go every two days for an hour of gentle exercise and then slowly build up. My goal is to complete Couch to 5k and then a Park Run by end April.

The gym have been great. Yes they were a little worried that it was so soon and wanted some reassurance that a medical specialist was OK with me exercising. I spoke to the physio about my plan and she gave some helpful pointers on do’s and dont’s. The gym instructor has developed a programme for me. They often get NHS referrals and indeed reduced membership fees are offered if my GP refer me. Seems to me it’s not the right gym for your partner. Shop around. You should expect to sign a general disclaimer at any gym you join but nothing special. Good luck

[Picass]

If you go to a local council gym they will probly have a specific instructor who specialises in cardiac patients but you will need your certificate from programme in hospital

[JSTG]

Would it be worth contacting the rehabilitation nurses to see if they can provide something .

[benjijen]

Speak to the cardiac team at your hospital about stage 4 rehab (or google it for your area). I have been going for stage 4 for 3 years now and it's well worth it.

[Danyboy09]

Hello, when I finished my cardio rehab I was given a BACPR form from the cardio rehab nurses and in turn made an appointment at the gym for an interview before I commenced at the gym.

[Prothy]

Hi Mandy,

There are phase three cardiac fitness classes (this one is not free). You will need a letter from the original cardiac team to give to the instructor of the fitness class. You should be able to get a list of classes in your area, again, from the cardiac team you were at.

Highly recommend going to these classes

Good luck

[dunestar]

Hi MandyBacardi. Your GP sounds very unhelpful and their attitude is hardly in keeping with the new idea of social prescribing where GPs encourage some activity in the community to maintain health.

Also the gym sounds like they are not bothered. I belong to a local authority owned gym which is run by a social enterprise type company. They have a form for people who want to join the cardiac rehab classes which is signed by the GP.

[Craneman]

Hi Mandy,

I had a tripple heart bypass December 2008,

In the following March I joined a gym programme for Cardio Rehab exercises, many members there have had stents, valve replacements, pacemakers etc,

I swear that this twice weekly programme has given me flexibility and strength, I live in Colchester and the programme I am on is called LEAP Life Enhancing Activity Programme, my gym fees are £91 a quarter but for that I can go into the gym as many times as I like, swimming pool, sauna, also other classes for back problems, weight loss etc so it's not expensive if you make use of what is available.

[Matilda777]

I'd check out your Rehab if they offer phase 4 rehab? I go to phase 4 in Norfolk and many members have been going for years. It is subsidised supervised Gym followed by a tai chi class for us. very useful and has given me the confidence to join aqua aerobic classes and use the gym on my own. good luck.

[Hidden]

I really think it "MIGHT" have something to do with where you are, although I would have thought that any agreement should be with the NHS as a whole - so here goes my 2p worth. After my rehab everyone was offered a subsidised class at a gymnasium nearest to them - so some had to go to a city gym and others to a county one, since the funding for this subsidised gymnasium course of 12 weeks was funded by the local council - city and county so there was no choice in where you wanted to go, it depended on where you lived.

The reason for this interaction between rehab and this "Heart Fitness after Surgery" run by the council was that the hospital referred you, along with such notes that we agreed to disclose that gave details of our results achieved through the rehab course so the Gymnasium knew exactly what they were getting - and how to deal with you.

On the day I went to the gym to join up, I was feeling a bit stressed and my BP was high but after the required sitting quietly, I got accepted. The regime is OK as it goes and will get you fitter and for that I think it is worthwhile but it is a gym and they lean towards fit people so found the routine rather prescriptive with a one fits all plan. But I am not a great lover of pounding a machine to get fit anyway and would far prefer a brisk walk as much as anything.

My personal opinion is that if you have achieved a personal level of fitness that allows you to exercise heart, body and mind and actually get much fitter than you were before, then you have no concerns about continuing to remain healthy which is the critical point. I personally do not think and gym could stop you joining as a member of the public if you can demonstrate a level of fitness acceptable to them and do your own thing and remain within the confines of that recommended by the \rehab people - ie 150 mins of meaningful exercise a week whilst keeping within the boundaries of your heartbeat range - a smart exercise watch can be excellent for that although most machines will record your BP, but obviously not the weights or stepper.

At this stage, your partner should be over the worst and should be able to, with the guidance he has been given at rehab, get meaningful exercise through walking or using a stepper and small weights at home or at a gym, it really boils down to how comfortable he feels in a crowd. Have you a dog? Do you like visiting interesting cities? A walk round a new city and a cup of tea can be very therapeutic or antique fairs, the list is endless. It's not so much about what he does, but that it is meaningful for about 150 mins a week and can demonstrate that he is working his heart at the same time - if you don't use it you will not keep it fit and thats where all the problems begin again. Think out side of the box and keep happy and look forward without worries, you both deserve it.

[MandyBacardi]

Thank you so much everyone for your responses. We have tried more than one gym and they are all saying the same thing. We will contact the cardio team again even though they weren't very helpful last time

[NathanBlau in reply to MandyBacardi]

Level 4 or Phase 4 has already been mentioned but this is a follow on from the hospital based cardiac rehab. You need a referral from your GP or Hospital (contact the hospital rehab team). I have been attending for 2+ years and find the sessions invaluable.

These sessions are conducted around the country at gyms and community centres, for example, and are run by suitably qualified staff etc.

Take a look on the BHF web site where you can lookup a local centre based on your postcode :

cardiac-rehabilitation.net/...

[Ianc2]

if your partner has had stents you might find it useful to look at your diet so that you don't clog up all over again. Exercise and a healthy heart go well together. The BHF mediterranean (sp?) diet is worth adopting?

[Shootist]

I had 3 stents 18 months ago but had no heart attac I whent to the nufield Gym they give you a good check out and check your heart and advise you what to do and give you a fee MOT once a month. Had no problems upto now but I had no heart atac so I don't know how fitt you are

[Redsea]

Hi Mandy, I had two heart attacks and one stent last summer, I completed the hospital cardiac rehab program, then I was referred to my local gym by the rehab team. I used to go to the same gym prior to my event, but let my membership run out. Now I am back on a scheme especially for cardiac patients, and patients with other medical conditions, this is at reduced rates for three months and is supervised for us, and we are advised at what rate we can exercise. We are then frequently assessed and exercise increased as and when necessary. I think if your partner asked at your local gym to speak to a trainer and explained his situation they would advise him what he needs to do. Personally,I think if he did the cardiac rehab he should be fit enough to do a gentle exercise routine but, would need to speak to his cardiologist or his GP for the ok to go ahead. Good luck.

[IMAGES]

Sounds like you are getting the runaround Mandy, Is your partner trying to join the gym he did the rehabilitation with the NHS? The rehab team I have just started with are going to get me a gym pass, weather that is temporary for the duration of the course, logic to me is, if the gym are aware of your partner attending the rehab sessions surely the letter from the rehab team would suffice. apparently it obviously doesn't!

I don't know the background of your partners previous fitness or life style levels, but if he had kept himself in shape at a gym before the Stents, and he has been advised by the Cardio nurses what level of fitness and activity he can carry on doing after the Rehab course, if it were me I would self certify and gradually progress at a sensible rate, and always remind him to take his meds and religiously take his Nitrolingual Pump Spray Every where he/she goes. Take it easy, keeps smiling, steady progress is the route to take.

[Stive_Rogers]

A friend of mine had the same situation after the operation, he had heart problems after falling off a bike, and it was also harmful to him to load his body on training in the gym, and therefore a familiar trainer advised him to use steroid supplements such as GW0742. I read a lot about them on the Internet in various articles, for example, like this one [url=sarmguide.com/gw0742-review...] . It was written there that they are good at helping to increase muscle mass, burn excess weight, and strengthen cardiovascular health. I decided to suggest to him, let him try, but it would still be better to consult a doctor so that it doesn't get worse because everyone's body is different and it reacts differently.