It’s typically a supervised gym session, where you use exercise bikes, treadmills, rowing machines, and the elliptical machines.
I wasn’t a fan of Phase 3, which focused on aerobic exercises. The lunges and squats ruined my knees. But I’m really enjoying Phase 4 😀
I’m currently in week 3, with just 7 more to go. In the short time I’ve been doing it, I’ve already progressed to running on the treadmill (albeit in short sprint intervals).
I would highly recommend giving it a try if you’re given the opportunity and feeling up to it.
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daviesl5000
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Thanks for that. I don't feel I'm doing as well as I should although the drs say I'm doing very well considering what I've been through. I've had a slight cold which has put me back, I had been walking 1 to 2 miles but haven't been able to do anything for a week, feel like I'm never going to get better
Hang in there Redfloyd. I think I’m only a week or two ahead of you and the last week has been a big improvement. The cold would definitely sap your energy levels. (Whenever I get one I have to listen to my wife bang on and on about “man flu”. 🙄)
I think you are doing fine. For me ( its very individual ) the 1st 3 months were grim until I got the meds sorted out. I think its quite common to have a bit of despondency at about 8 weeks - you are boosted by the fact you've survived the op(!) but then drop back down to earth. My best advice is to learn to listen to your body ;the cardio rehab course was good at teaching me to feel when my heart rate is getting a bit high so I throttle back a bit.
I've been on phase iv for 6 months now. I've just finished my 4th programme of 14 weeks, which was still mostly cv work and takes me about 2 hours to complete the routine. I'm certainly feeling better for it - nearly 12 months since 3 x cabg. I'll find out later in the week what the next programme consists of. I am also walking about 25 miles/week and 2 x 1 hour pilates classes/week
Hi, I'm so glad you're getting your fitness back. This a nice positive post. My husband is starting his 5th week in hospital waiting for his Open Heart Surgery in the next City alongs Hospital. He's a fit 73, we spent nearly a year trying to find out what was wrong with him; We went to a Vista Scanning Clinic were he was diagnosed as having a Congenital Heart Valve Condition.
So happy to get the diagnosis but tinged with a little sadness that's probably what killed his father at 57 or his Mother at 73 but probably Dad as not exclusively but affects males more & then we have two boys!!
My husband was a footballer until 53, ran Marathons into his 60's and went to a gym until he became a carer after retiring, then after Hon.Granddad died we took up walking. Since last October, he went down with everything going . Fell in the bath & broke rib(s?), did a walk in March but was having funny little turns. Last 8 mile walk in April, got a cold & then went down hill.
Nightmare trying to get things sorted we started by saying he's complex but we think it's 2-3 different things, once they found he was anaemic & had a hiatus hernia Hills grade4, which they won't repair, though he's coughing up bits of blood. it was go away.
So your post will be something positive to talk to him about tonight. He won't be keen on stage 3 either as he has a dickie knee.
Keep up your good work, sounds like you're doing well.
All the very best on your continual good health 🤩🤩
my phase 3 was excellent. I have spine problems and chronic osteoarthritis so they adjusted the exercises accordingly. No lunges or squats! Also, I used an arm bike instead of a traditional exercise bike due to my knees. However, the gym has the ones with the back support and I can now manage a little on this one. I’m now in phase 4 and attending our local gym, which is very small, as we live in the beautiful Peak District National Park, but it’s got everything in need at the moment.
My 3 months’ free membership with the Live Life Better Derbyshire programme also includes swimming and exercise classes if desired, and is absolutely wonderful. The much larger leisure centre at Matlock, which I can also attend, has lots of rehab classes, both land and water based, and a much larger gym. Unfortunately, as I’m no longer able to drive, this is not feasible.
My main point is, I didn’t think I could manage hardly any of the exercises before I signed up but you’d be amazed what you can achieve with the help of the programme. I’m so grateful and encourage members to just give it a go if you can.
I loved phase 3 so much I became a volunteer with them, which meant I was still doing all the exercises each week, but effectively in a phase 4 situation! There was a phase 4 group at my local gym, but they used one of the studios, so it was all floor based exercises. I was about to join them in March 2020 - unfortunately, they never restarted postcovid.
Where on earth do you get rehab from and all those phases, after my op they said had to close rehab because of the pandemic and that was it!! Also quite amazed at how you get lots in press about heat and diet, but in the 4 yrs since my bypass, in hospital and since, besides being given a leaflet in hospital not one nurse or doctor has ever mentioned diet!! When I asked the doctor at my surgery he said have a balanced diet and you'll be okay. Since he doesn't know me he wouldn't know how I would interpret that. So instead of pizza every night better throw in the odd curry and fish and chips to balance it up😅
Unfortunately, it feels like a postcode lottery when it comes to cardio rehab programs and what’s offered.
From what I’ve read here, cardio rehab programs vary widely. In my case, living in Bolton, Bolton Council offers a free 10-week gym membership for anyone attending the cardio rehab phase 4. This includes access to the gym and pool, plus one supervised session each week.
Once the 10 weeks are up, I’ll be on my own. By that point, it’ll be six months since my heart attack, and I should be ready to start the Couch to 5K program (again!)
£10 per session for phase 4 at my local council sports centre was rather steep when for £20 a month an alternative gym gives you 24/7 access, so I declined. Hopefully other Trusts facilitate differently.
In my area phase 4, which is gym circuits with an emphasis on cardiac health, is run as a voluntary class with a small weekly fee. It was available immediately after phase 3 which started at about 8 weeks post surgery. I’ve been doing it ever since my phase 3 finished and I love it, really perks me up. It is a mix of exercises that lift heart rate interspersed with recovery exercises using small weights.
The young lady that runs it is great and has been very supportive with a couple of questions I’ve had. I find I can really push myself in improving my fitness through the class.
Whilst I was doing the free phase 3 (that’s the free 8 weeks with an assessment at start and finish) I got agreement to do parkrun (5km walk/jog/run) weekly and I’ve been doing so for the last 14 months, my AVR, CABG and PCI were in June 23, my first parkrun was exactly three months after surgery. I’m back to the level of fitness I last saw 15 years ago as a 57 year old, yes, I’m 72 now and threatening local running club levels of performance for my age.
How does one get on the rehab programmes? In my case never mentioned or advised. I did not have a heart attack, but have 2 stents due to severe blockage of LAD. I am afraid of overdoing it, or of not doing enough.
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Cardio rehab
Cardio Rehab class
First cardio session 🤣
Stage 4 rehab....
Just finished cardio rehab
