Cardio rehab on Tuesday - please advise

[Supernanu]

Had a text this morning asking me to come to cardio rehab next Tuesday at Hillingdon Hospital. No other information.

Please can some of you lovely people give me some suggestions about suitable clothing.

Thanks

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

I would suggest track suit bottoms, T-shirt and outdoor trainers as I doubt any changing facilities will be available. Depending how you travel something warmer to put over. Obviously you will have to be masked up. A few weeks ago they gave fresh disposable masks to anybody with a used disposable or unsuitable mask. Let us know how it goes.

[Hidden in reply to MichaelJH]

Don't forget a bottle of water.x

[Supernanu in reply to MichaelJH]

Thanks. Will report back after the session. Looking forward to it. I’ve been waiting for months!!

[080311]

Hi, that’s great news I found cardio rehab invaluable. As Michael said track suit bottoms, a tee shirt trainers, and a bottle of water. When I did my rehab It started building my stamina, we had so many laughs as well 😂 and great information from the medics there. I learnt such a lot, once a week we had someone in talking to us. From diet to drugs and research in to heart issues. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Pauline

[Nettekin]

Hi supernanu! Sounds as if you are one of the lucky few to be invited to rehab. It is invaluable from a physical and mental point of view. You don't need a full lycra ensemble (!) Just something comfortable and not restrictive. As others have said, tracksuit, tee shirt and trainers plus an extra layer for when you finish. Definitely water as well. I hope you find it as enjoyable as I did. Mine was cut short by covid, but I did manage 4 months which were great. X n

[Supernanu in reply to Nettekin]

Full Lycra ensemble not an option for me!! Looser the better.!!

[JennyRx]

I had to do cardiac rehab on the phone! Despite the fact the local gyms were open. It was slightly bizarre and I just ended up doing it by myself. So enjoy having the opportunity to actually see the rehab nurses f2f.

[dunestar in reply to JennyRx]

That does sound slightly bizarre JennyRx exercising and waving your phone around at the same time.

[JennyRx in reply to dunestar]

Didn’t quite work like that 😂😂. They would phone up and discuss my progress. But I’d gone off at the wrong pace too early and they were worried I’d overdone it. But no one explained what ‘take it easy’ actually meant. It was weird. I also had a podiatrist appointment on the phone.

[Nadeje in reply to JennyRx]

Hi, me too! 😫 Not ideal, couldn't find motivation to exercise on my own! Bloody pandemic! Did they actually explained different exercise to you? I have only been asked how I'm feeling, how is my breathing, and told to aim for 30minutes fast walk 5 times a week! 🤪Now I'm 16 weeks post op (AVR) and walk every day, so that's my exercise! 😊

Pity I couldn't attend real cardio rehab and do it with other people! Keep safe and keep moving!

[JennyRx in reply to Nadeje]

I was walking 5 miles a day two days after stenting. They had damaged the artery during a tricky procedure and hadn’t explained I was meant to do only 5 minutes of walking a day and no lifting or raising my hands above my head. I wasn’t contacted til 3 weeks after event so I was doing more than they expected. I now run 5 - 6 k three times a week, do Pilates, low impact HIIT and walk up to 8 miles a day. So I’m feeling quite sprightly.

[Nadeje in reply to JennyRx]

Well done you!👏 You are amazing! I am and always have been a couch potato, apart from yoga once a week and occasional swim all I do is walk daily. That was of course before my op and the pandemic! Now it's just walking and sometimes exercising with YouTube. Nobody explained to me that I shouldn't lift my arms above my head which I did (oops!) as soon as I returned home from hospital! I had found out I shouldn't do this in here from someone.!! Thankfully.

I have just read that some people have been invited to cardio rehab ( real face to face one) months after their surgery...maybe you and I will get our turn one day! 🤪

[JennyRx in reply to Nadeje]

I’ve been signed off now. So that was that. I have some videos they sent to me. And a book.

But I’m worried about my health and have a high risk factor for HA and stroke so I want to be as healthy as possible before I get too old!

[Hidden]

Whatever you're comfortable exercising in. Cardiac rehab was great and I really enjoyed it. Hopefully you'll love it too.

[Heartattackvictim]

I can only echo what everyone else has written. I was a very fit 59year old. Had a heart attack 4 days after running a half marathon in 1 hour 58 minutes. So I was looking forward to the rehab. The session was graded and personalised which was very important as every one is different. The talks were really useful too. And of course meeting folk who have been through the same as you is also important. Cardiac nurses all great with support and advice, and the cardiac physios tailored the session for each of us. Enjoy it! I did and I was possibly the youngest there, but we have all had a life changing event and sorry one another.

[Blackcatsooty]

I had AVR 2ndMay and despite lots of promises etc, I have still not been offered any rehab. So I am jealous ! The thing I miss most ,eg a thing you could find useful, is someone to check you are moving right and that the aches and pains are not a problem.

They will also remind you about exercises. I have inadvertently slipped away from having a simple walk. I did seated yoga (following a stroke 5 years ago) then I went to seated yoga and it was so helpful. And ever so gentle.

Colin

[Supernanu in reply to Blackcatsooty]

Colin, my avr was 14 Feb so maybe your rehab will follow soon!

I totally agree, I’ve been trying to walk and exercise but definitely feel the lack of guidance - am I doing too much, too little, doing it right? Guess I’ll find out next week!

[Blackcatsooty in reply to Supernanu]

I do the "trunk exercises" which they showed me in hospital. They did also tell me to walk slowly, alongside a friend, and to talk whilst I walked. I ignored this as I walk miles pottering in the garden, But since I started doing exactly what was suggested, eg slow walk chatting to my better half, I feel instantly better.

There are online exercise classes and the BHF do some online stuff. Also the BHF nurses would probably advise.

I still think of you having gone through the AVR and before you were fully concsious, getting zapped with lockdown.

What will be the new normal for us to follow, one day,one day.

Nice valentines day for you .

Colin

[Supernanu in reply to Blackcatsooty]

Yes. Renovated heart for Valentine’s Day. Better than a soppy card and flowers!

[Babpak11111]

You could always ring the Rehab team if there is a contact number? I never got to have any Rehab due to Corona and everything just shut as I came out of hospital. From what I've read it's very important so good luck and get as much information as possible whilst your there. Good luck

[Supernanu in reply to Babpak11111]

Seems you’re timing was bad, like mine!! And I’m still pinching myself to check this is really happening. My rehab nurse told me a few weeks ago that they were restarting classes but until I got the text I wasn’t sure.

It’s only nearly nine months since my avr 😜 so I’m being seen quite quickly!! Fingers crossed for you that maybe your area will start soon.

[Bartie123]

Cardio rehab is great. No Lycra required! Trackies and trainers. I just got my 8 weeks in as lockdown struck and I miss it still. Both physically and mentally it’s invaluable. Nothing happening now in my area sadly. Make the most of it! Jane.

[Tessie28]

lose trousers, masks, water, layers

[Tombob]

You are lucky to be called for rehab, I have had 2 OHS, after the first one I had rehab and it really put me on the road to recovery giving me confidence to go out and exercise. I had my 2nd OHS for rmv on 27 Feb. and was looking forward to going to rehab again but because of covid I missed out. I was later sent all the papers to 'sign me off ' so I won't be called again. Good luck and enjoy the sessions.

[tapfoot]

Enjoy! And please report back. In my area they are cancelled. I’ve done some of the YouTube ones though motivation and proximity to my comfy couch are definitely barriers! Everyone I’ve spoken to says the cardio rehab is great.

[Grayjay]

All of the above , re comfy clothing, water etc but don't forget to keep your medication such as GTN or inhaler if you use it near by. Hope you have a great time as I'm sure you will.

[Doggyman]

That's funny I am there at Hillingdon hospital on Wednesday. First visit for tests etc. Good luck.

[Rodfan]

Comfy clothing and trainers!