Hi Everyone,
Following a successful mitral valve repair in mid-November I've been trying to find a cardiac rehab course / community. I live in Guildford and have had my GP make a referral but to date am being told they do not exist in the county.
Does anyone have experience of Cardiac Rehab on the NHS? How did you manage to access the service? When did it commence following surgery? Does anyone have experience of rehab in the Guildford, Surrey area?
Thanks so much
Hi, I too had mitral valve replacement and Pacemaker fitted in November and am hoping to hear soon about cardiac rehab. I was told that because of Christmas it may take a bit longer to come through?? I think they are usually run by the hospitals so could you try ringing your main one and ask if they have a department you can speak to. Or even just ask to speak to cardiology ward. They may be able to help. There is also some info on BHF website about where’s the nearest cardiac rehab programmes are. There is a link on the page that takes you to NHS website. If you search " what is cardiac rehabilitation" and scroll down you will find it. Hope this helps and good luck. You have spurred me in to check when I may get some so thank you 😊
I live in Surrey and Cardiac Rehab is available at Epsom General Hospital. I’m currently doing level 4.
I had mitral repair July 2022 at the Brompton. I had a follow up of 10 sessions of cardio rehab a few months later at my local hospital. I'm in North Hants. It's standard for all Hants cardio patients. I'm really surprised you're not being offered it
I was offered nothing at all when I had my TAVI at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford;there were just a few tips on its general information sheet and a contact phone number and email address. But the day after the op, I was able to amass 80 minutes of walking in half-a-dozen stages around the hospital. (A doctor had assured me that my new valve was good to go, potential problems being linked to the insert wound and over-taxing myself.) Googling suggested that there might be courses at Crawley and Redhill, as well as on-line courses such as this from the BHF: youtube.com/watch?v=-JsuNKb... I specified Level 1 in my Google search, but no doubt other levels are available.
your doctor’s group of surgeries should be employing one or two social prescribers who should have this information at their fingertips. Here in West Sussex the county council has a lot of “wellbeing” information on its website. Maybe Surrey CC does.
My partner had an aortic valve replacement on 12 December, we were contacted about rehab this week and he has assessment on 22nd Jan. I'd go back to your GP. Good luck
I had AVR and CABG on 25 Sept and started rehab on the 3rd Dec. It involves an 80 mile round trip and 2 hours traveling. It is held at a sports centre and I was expecting that we would be using the equipment like bikes, rowing machine, weights etc. Nope. We do 15 mins gently warm up, 30 mins of exercise which involves stretching, lunges, steps and star jumps. The only equipment used is a step.If I was disciplined I could do this at home, but I'm not and have never done exercise just for the sake of it because I had an active job, walked miles over a week with my dog and done logging in my spare time. I feel committed to continue going because I kept on to the hospital to get on the rehab that they got me on the course at short notice after somebody dropped out. Probably if it was closer I would enjoy it more.
That sounds like a nightmare, good on you for keeping it up ! I also thought the idea was to be able to push yourself on bikes etc whilst having the security of a team around you, doesn't sound like a great experience.
That's what I was expecting. I have bought myself an exercise bike, it's quite a sophisticated one, I only wanted a little one that I could fold up out of the way but it was only £35, cheapest I could find. I'm not getting on that well with it though. I'm ok heart wise and breathing but I have to keep stopping because my legs hurt so much. I suppose I will have to keep doing a bit at a time
Your hospital should offer you a cardiac physio course, mine lasted about six weeks. Ask them.
Thanks, I have asked them (whilst in hospital and last week), zero knowledge as the hospital is in Kensington, London and I'm in Guildford, Surrey... Also had the GP send a referral but also no response yet (since November).
I'm in Reigate and Cardiac Rehab courses are definitely run at East Surrey Hospital.Unfortunately when I had my CABG x 4 it was mid-pandemic so the courses were suspended. I did get a referral to a local gym later where NHS physios ran a class.
Thanks, I was hoping for a local gym with a group who have all been through a similar experience. Thanks to this feed I now have a number to call at the hospital.
I had mitral valve repair in mid- November too. My cardiac rehab services were delayed due to Christmas and the fact that I had a rare surgery side effect of acute pancreatitis but I began mine this week. Having accessed this service two years previously after cardiac arrest and fitting of ICD aged 42, I was sad to hear that the psychological services which were previously combined with physical therapy were no longer available due to budget cuts. This is in Liverpool region .
Best wishes,
B
Thanks for the wishes, I had hoped for a group session to at least help with the psychological side also...are you up to cardio? I'm still suffering the after effects of the sternotomy (not sure I could do it yet). Also in my mid 40's and wanting to get moving ! Hope your recovery goes well !
Hi,
I didn’t have a sternotomy - they went in through my side but also did an ablation through there as well so my recovery will be shorter than yours. Don’t get me wrong, I can only manage short walks at the moment and from my last experience of cardiac rehab, it’s extremely gentle…..walking in a circle etc.
I too need help with the psychological side so I may go to my GP and see what’s available.
It sounds as though you are healing well and I hope you manage to access the services you need.
Good luck, B
I’ve been waiting over 12 weeks for my local NHS cardiac rehab programme. In the meantime I’m using resources and videos from cardiaclauren.co.uk. Run by a former cardiac rehab nurse, costs £25 per month (offering first month for £5). Finding the videos and other information very helpful
That's really useful, thanks for sharing...best of luck...
my husband had a triple heart bypass and he’s doing cardiac rehab that was arranged by the hospital not his GP.
I’m from the other end of country - but the hospital asked me I wanted the cardio rehab course
Failing that mention it to the heart nurses
I think all the exercises are on YouTube
Good luck and best wishes
If you have a heart nurse ask her, she should know if there's one at your hospital. Otherwise ask your GP.
After a heart attack I was sent an appointment but the hospital about 3 weeks later. It was automatic. I saw a nurse who assessed me before the rehab was due tos tart and gave me a pile of books on diet,exercise etc. Unfortunately she refused rehab because I use a wheelchair. I found out 2 years later that I should have been allowed tod o it to see how much I could manage.
Hi,
Im in Sussex and had a full replacement just over 16 months ago. I been at rehab classes for over 2 years, I started rehab under the hosptial about 6-8 weeks after surgery, most hospitals offer this, I went on to find my local gym does a rehab class for after the hospital one is completed, they offer 2 sessions a week. Once hospital one is completed worth checking around the area to see what’s offered. We get our rehab done while having fun and a giggle, also nice to be in a class where everyone understands. Good luck xx
Appreciate your insight, exactly what I'm looking for, some exercise and a chat !!
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