heart rehab club

[Cookie1973]

hi guys it’s 4 weeks since my heart attack and I’ve had no contact about the heart health club I’ve heard people talk about, I’m still waiting for my cardiac MRI which I know will probably be a while yet.

[BeKind28-]

Hello

They might be waiting for you to have the scan before they offer you Rehab classes which will benefit you

I think roughly it is about 6 weeks they offer them to you and with the Holidays could have put them behind a bit

When you were in Hospital did the Rehab Nurses give you their contact number if so I would give them a ring and ask as it all depends on how often they do them and so on in different areas where you live but you can check with them you will be offered Rehab Classes which at some stage you should be

Let us know how you get on x

[Cookie1973 in reply to BeKind28-]

Hi be kind, thank you for your reply, I didn’t see any rehab nurses while in hospital and u haven’t had any contact with anyone else

[BeKind28- in reply to Cookie1973]

Hello

They came round to us introduced themselves and gave us their contact details

Could you phone up the ward and ask them if they have a number for them ?

I would as you will benefit so much from it so I would speak up

Sorry that know one has followed you up so far but hopefully if you make that call you will find out and will be looking for you letting us know x

[Cookie1973 in reply to BeKind28-]

Hi there I’ve just rung the coronary care ward that I was on and they told me to ring the rehabilitation nurses so I’ve just done that and left them a message, thank you for telling me about them as I didn’t have a clue! No one at the hospital ever came to me

[BeKind28- in reply to Cookie1973]

Hello

I am sorry no one ever came to you they would usually do so but you have made contact now and have a number so that is good

Sometimes they work certain days and times and of course we have just had the holidays but if you hear nothing back don't feel you cannot phone them again because you can

Let us know how you get on

Happy New Year x

[Cookie1973 in reply to BeKind28-]

That’s very kind thank you.

Happy new year

[BeKind28- in reply to Cookie1973]

x

[Cookie1973 in reply to BeKind28-]

Hi be kind

I just wanted to let you know I spoke with a rehab nurse today and I have an appointment with them in a couple of weeks then the rehab exercise classes so thank you for the information, they said they never had my details so they wouldn’t have called me !

[BeKind28- in reply to Cookie1973]

Hello

This is great news I did wonder if they had maybe not been informed about you as sometimes it gets busy and people can forget but all is good now and I am so pleased for you and hope it has made you feel a lot better

When you start the classes would be nice to hear how you get on x

[Cookie1973 in reply to BeKind28-]

Hi of course I will let you know, how are you now ?

[BeKind28- in reply to Cookie1973]

Hello

Not doing great and sick of the anxiety but thank you for asking x

[Cookie1973 in reply to BeKind28-]

I’m sorry to hear that, the anxiety is just horrendous, I’m constantly thinking it’s going to or is happening again

[BeKind28- in reply to Cookie1973]

Hello

I had anxiety before my first heart attack and part of that anxiety was health anxiety and so now having had 3 heart attacks and a triple Bypass I just have not moved on with the same fears but even worse

But you will slowly move on it is early days for you x

[PadThaiNoodles in reply to BeKind28-]

Sorry to hear that, BeKind28. We're all rooting for you....

[BeKind28- in reply to PadThaiNoodles]

Hello

Thank You

Happy New Year x

[PadThaiNoodles in reply to Cookie1973]

Well done on getting in to the rehab course!

[David-66]

I had a heart attack in September on holiday, had an emergency stent fitted. Since my return to uk my cardiology appointment not until August 2025.

Went to a rehab charity it was one hour chatting and maybe one day a week classes.

A lot of people in same boat unfortunately.

My advice is use the British Heart Foundation website for diet and exercise advice and speak to their cardiologist nurses if you have the need.

Exercise wise I’m just taking walks, built up and now comfortably walk 7-8km with the dog with no issues.

Take care and look after yourself

[Cookie1973 in reply to David-66]

Hi David thank you for your reply, I do feel as though I have been abandoned a bit! I’m not sure what I should or shouldn’t not be doing! I’ve had no contact from any health advisors and I just have the info on my NHS app which obviously terrifies me!

[David-66 in reply to Cookie1973]

Hi

I would firstly go back to your GP if you’re suffering from anxiety over the issue and see if they can escalate anything for you. There is also the option to go private with a cardiologist I’m advised the initial appointment would be around £250 but after that the costs would be dependent on your condition.

I’m not sure if your having ongoing symptoms, but if your referral time is as long as mine is all I can say is speak to a rehab nurse, your GP will have a local unit you can attend and also review diet and exercise with them and the BHF website which is a good source of information.

If you can get out walking, do so, small walks then build the distance up. It’s good for the anxiety as well as your heart.

Hope your recovery goes well.

[PadThaiNoodles]

I think the waiting times are pretty area dependent. I had open heart surgery Sept 17 and I start rehab on Jan 6. I have had the induction session where they do a stress ECG to determine your optimal cardiovascular workout rate and give you a bunch of info about what to expect.

I had my surgery at a private hospital in Dublin, but my rehab (and warfarin clinic) are local. The hospital staff asked me which one I wanted to go to but then they did all the coordination. I just got a call later to let me know where to go and when.

[Cookie1973 in reply to PadThaiNoodles]

Morning thank you for your reply, I do feel as though I have been abandoned! I don’t know what I should or shouldn’t be doing.

[PadThaiNoodles in reply to Cookie1973]

My notes say at week 4 you should aim to walk 20-25 minutes non-stop each day.

On judging how fast to walk, they say you should be able to talk but not sing; that you should be moderately breathless immediately post exercise but recover from this after a short rest; and that you should not feel so tired after your walk that you need to go to bed to recover.

These, however, are for open heart surgery. I'm not sure how different they would be for heart attack and/or stents. 🤷‍♂️

The BHF also have an on-line cardiac rehab programme:

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...