Cardiac rehabilitation

[Chouette77]

Hi all, I had a heart attack mid November, had a stent fitted and spent three days in hospital. I was told I’d get contacted about cardiac rehabilitation, chased it up last week and apparently I’d been forgotten about, but am now on the list to start at the end of Jan. Can’t get a GP appt though they have signed me off, but due to go back to work this week. Is it normal to have such a lack of follow up?

[Mentdent]

Communication amongst departments in the NHS can be woeful.

[Happyrosie]

depends on your hospital. Please complain to PALS and then someone will look into it properly.

[Paellalover]

I think it does depend on where you live, but you should receive the support. My husband had a heart attack earlier this year with a stent fitted. He had a call from cardiac rehab a week after it happened. I would ask either through the hospital or your GP as for us their support was invaluable- really explained things well, as though was looked after well in hospital - discharge was quite poor with unanswered questions - rehab really helped with that.

[DWizza]

Hi , I was left off the rehab program list when I came out of hospital post Nstemi and 4 x bypass surgery. I followed up by phoning the numbers on my discharge notes . I managed to get on a course at a local hospital , was home assessed as suitable . Keep pushing , phone your local hospital and keep on 👍🏻

[heritagelynda]

I had a heart attack and three stents fitted at the end of October, was offered Cardo Rehab in February 2024. Have written to PALS and the local MP and to the Health minister, they all blame Covid, I understand that the quicker you have cardo rehab the better your chances of a complete recovery are. Spoke to the hospital where I had my stents fitted (specialist heart hospital), and starting my rehab there when they can get my blood pressure down, the GP and local hospital do not seem interested..

[Sav100]

I had similar to you, with HA and hospital stay no problems with rehab referral but on discharge scan found a hidden heart problem that needed surgery. 8 weeks after being home spoke with cardiologist about heart attack and brought up the surgery required and he knew nothing about it and I hadn’t been referred to a surgeon.

I have to say once raised the hospital did move quite fast with tests and appointments but still took 12 months for urgent surgery to be completed. I think over the last few years there has just been so much pressure on the hospitals and we have to make sure we keep on top of it all.

Hope you have a happy and healthy new year x

[61teapot]

I had to chase the rehab team every few days by phone until I got an assessment .

Rehab is the best thing ever I have 1 session left and it’s been wonderful . Improved my confidence after HA and gave me direction

Don’t give up kept chasing it’s well worth it

Good luck

[Lowerfield_no_more]

Keep chasing your cardio team until you are given a date . In the meantime have alook at the BHF online cardio rehab course.

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

[Coffeelover2]

I had my heart attack in Feb 23 - referred twice and chased up . Still haven’t had cardiac rehab

[Jedi14]

Hi Chouette,

It seems to vary from city to city, rehab is very well organised in my area, it was a really easy follow up. It was in a few stages: 1) Daily exercise, walking recommended, gentle start. 15 mins to 30 mins. 2)Online I hour/weekly sessions, very useful, with different topics every week. 3)In clinic assessments in the beginning and end of 6 weeks. After that (with lots of advice), I was ready to start work initially half days a week.

My own employer has a policy to send us for assessment to a private Doctor, for independent report and a phased back to work program. After a few weeks I was back to full time work.

[Zed1063]

good luck!

There is nothing in Colchester, not sure where you are, I had a HA in April now waiting for rehab! even my cardiologist has written to them again to no avail! It is terrible the way people are just left hanging! I cannot understand how you have a major event then just left....

[JK5AEO]

Welcome to 2024 Britain! It's the will of the people...we reap what we elect. Perhaps people might think more carefully next time?