I had my first cardiac rehab session yesterday following my heart attack on 13 January. I was surpised and actually a bit amazed that I managed all the exercises without too much difficuty, although by the end I was certainly ready to stop.
If someone had told me exactly what it entailed before I got pitched into it, I'd have said I couldn't possibly do it. I'd have thought quite frankly I wouldn't have survived it, but I did and it has already had a positive effect on my self confidence.
Prior to doing this rehab I had led a very sedentary life for more than 5 years, partly due to undiagnosed angina which put me off walking outdoors and partly due to Covid lockdown since which I had been mostly housebound, thereby also avoiding the angina symptoms-until they caught up with me.
Last summer I had an accident whilst doing light gardening which caused me to have severe lower back pain and resulted in an ambulance to A&E following which I started a course of physiotherapy and also started doing exercises at home using dumbells and expansion bands, plus some stretches etc, but nothing like the intensity of this cardiac rehab.
Although some of my muscles are complaining today, I remain truly surprised and delighted that I could cope with what I would have considered a far too punishing exercise regime before yesterday and I am now committed to building upon this and especially walking a lot more than I have done since I came out of hospital, or for a long time before that.
If anyone is offered cardiac rehab and their condition makes them suitable for it, it's definitely worth giving it a go I think and perhaps like me, you'll be surprised by what you can actually do both physically and psychologically.
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Hi, I started hospital cardiac rehab last summer and then progressed onto phase 4 - out in the community. I was a bit dubious at first because I am the youngest in the class by at least 25 years and nearly 40 years younger than our most senior participant! However, they all made me very welcome. Everyone is there for different reasons - but the common link being, that we have all undergone some sort of cardiac event. (I had O.H.S in June ‘23).
My aim, was to try and boost my heart’s ejection fraction - as even with being on 3 of the 4 pillars of heart failure meds - my E.F still hadn’t recovered to my pre-op level. Well, it’s taken 20 months but with the aid of the rehab classes - I’m definitely getting there (according to my most recent Echo).
So, yes I’m definitely an advocate for attending cardiac rehab sessions. I hope yours are a success too.
Hi Dodgytickermum. I seem to be similar to you. Quite young for a heart complaint. My EF is 28% and my cardiac nurse has forbidden me to go to rehab or do anything except walking unless I can get to over 35%. I have seen two GPs also to check on my meds and they are encouraging me to go back to the gym and do classes, and also weekly swimming. Can I ask what your EF is? Fruit gum.
My left infraction is 10% I've had a CRT plus defibrillator fitted ,I was active before diagnosed,since and with the agreement of my cardiac nurse I walk between four and five miles a day plus 20 mins of exercise (tai chi).My cardiologist told me to do as much as I am comfortable with,but the more the better.
My E.F was 35% approx 8 wks post op. This was worse than immediately before my surgery, which was 49% at that time! (Not what I was expecting or had hoped for - after all that I had been through). My B.N.P levels are also higher now than before my valve replacement - even with taking 3 of the 4 pillars of H.F meds. So that has been an unfortunate disappointment too. I naively assumed I’d have surgery and it would wave a magic wand over my heart’s health.
The game changer for me was being prescribed Dapagliflozin 5 months post op, which in turn increased my E.F by 10%. A few months later Perindopril was also added, which has helped to calm my heart. I take this at night with Bisoprolol (as they lower my already chronically low B.P ) and I can def tell when they’ve worn off, as my heart becomes more erratic.
Not sure if you belong to the Facebook group Pumping Marvellous? They have a website too. But there are lots of members on there who struggle with a low E.F and would be able to support you with their experiences and advice re exercising. Hope you get some answers.
Thanks DodgyTickerMum, I don't know about the community phase, its still early days for me but I would like to think there could be more beyond the 8 weeks of hospital based rehab. I'm glad your group made you feel welcome, I suspect I may be even older than its most senior participant from what you say, but thanks for reinforcing my own initial assessment. I wish you well with achiving your own aims. Best wishes. Rob
Unless anything has changed, you should be able to go to "stage 4" rehab after the hospital based one, which is community based. Think it depends on your area but I got free access to a local leisure centre for a period and then discounted membership. It was really useful because you have to have an initial meeting with a cardiac trained fitness instructor/advisor who goes over everything with you. I would ask them about it, good luck
good for you . I loved mine , was gutted when it finished , but gave me the confidence to carry on with excercise . I now weight train with pt twice a week and making cracking progress . I hope it inspires you to find something you enjoy
I hope you feel very proud of yourself because you should it's no easy thing to p do . And next time you will find it easier and you will find you will loose inches if not weight as your muscles tone up. But remember if anything hurts stop. 🤸
It had the same positive effect on me after my triple bypass. So much so, that I have now joined a gym for the first time in my life and go twice a week. I just do cardio work to keep that heart pumping!! My advice is keep it going !! Well done
Brilliant and well done! Hopefully the remaining sessions will inspire you. Don’t get discouraged if some feel harder and you don’t feel you’re making fast progress. Getting fit isn’t easy.
As somebody else hinted, hopefully you’ll find a form of exercise you enjoy. That’s the key.
Many thanks Larneybuds it is you and others like you on this forum that encourages me to build upon the gains I have made so far, your comments are very much appreciated. Best wishes. Rob
I can see you've had lots of other encouraging replies. It was just nice to read about your positivity which I think is a big part of recovery as well. The local leisure centre to me has an Everyone Active scheme, encouraging people ,especially after illness to participate in fitness activities. I joined and also found that they do a prescription fitness programme where if you are recovering from illness or surgery you get 6 months free membership which was a great incentive. They have a resistance machine suite that I use.... it's great and I can do the level that suits me with them but I also keep fit at home with stretching, exercise and walking. Worth looking into seeing if your local leisure centre do something similar. I had two valve repairs with OH surgery but I also have heart failure but realise that diet, fitness and wellbeing goes a long way in staying as well as I can with it. I really do wish she you all the very best. Take care xx
Hi Larneybuds thanks so much for your supportive response, it is true I have had a lot of encouraging messages like yours and they are all very much appreciated. Your own acheivements are also very inspirational during these early days on my recovery journey and reinforce my determination to build upon what I have done so far. I will definitely explore activity opportunities in my area after the rehab ends to keep up the progress that I feel I'm making at the moment. Thanks again for your kind wishes and practical advice. You take care yourself. Best wishes Rob xx
If you are offered a follow up to the free course I’d take it. There is not just a physical benefit but I believe there is a psychological one too.
Oh, whatever you do, don’t give up exercising whilst you are still able to do so.
I did parkrun, a weekly 5k, exactly three months after surgery and I still do so. I also do a phase 4 cardiac circuit class weekly. I feel fitter than I have been for years.
I only got given an exercise/diary book at the hospital no rehab classes with my first heart attack stent fitted 2022 (may be covid time had something to do with it) nothing second heart 2023 and nothing for mild heart attack 2024. I suffer with vasospasms diagnosed November 2023 maybe they think there's no point for me to have rehab classes.
I was a bit disappointed in my rehab sessions. I had to travel just under an hour and 40 miles each way for basically an exercise class. I done the same thing every week which consisted of stretches, steps, starjumps and marching on the spot. I had expected some gym equipment like bikes or treadmills where progress could be monitored on a weekly basis. Yes it was a nice group of people, I was one of the younger ones(61) and the only one who had OH surgery. I was fairly active before the rehab, walking, exercise bike and logging so I'm not sure it was suitable for me and my space might of been better served for somebody who lived closer and was not so active.Good luck and well done to everybody who has benefitted from there rehab class.
I am so glad that you have felt uplifted by it. I was a very active person prior to OHP but still found that doing the rehab gave me confidence that I could get back to my previous level of activity , or at least work towards it.
8 months on I am back skiff rowing . ( V heavy wooden oars which were what delayed me trying earlier because of having to lift them . )
I managed an hour in v cold wet and windy weather last week - yes I know we are mad! - with no ill effects apart from feeling tired that evening.
Hi. Has all your pains gone after your surgery? It has been about 5.5 months after my surgery but i am still getting pains on my left and sometimes it gets bad and anxiety goes through the roof. When will this pain disappear i wonder? Cheese
You are going to hate me for this! I never had much pain . I never took more than paracetamol after day1 after the surgery. Partly because the oramorph made me vomit . I'm a migraine sufferer perhaps I've been desensitised. Apart from 1st month and being careful getting out of bed ,I was just aware of my sternum and ribs especially if I lifted something I shouldn't have. I still don't like lying on my left. But now it's all linked to rebuilding the muscle strength.
Many thanks for your positive comments and well done for getting back to skiff rowing, I hope all continues to go well for you, it sounds as if you're doing very well already. I'll definitely keep going-cheers.
I’ve been fit and well all my life until I had a heart attack 2 years ago. Turned my world on its head. Cardiac rehab was the start of my recovery. I loved it and the staff were so supportive. Gave me back a purpose. Since then I’ve gone on to qualify as a personal trainer and exercise referral specialist. I’m now looking for a job with a cardiac rehab team. Keep going, you’ll get stronger and feel much better for it 💪👊
I'm 12 months on from my surgery, I've always played a lot of sport and after 4 Weeks of surgery I was playing golf and then attending the rehab in the afternoon. According to my watch I was walking around 24,000 steps those days and I'm sure my recovery was much quicker than it otherwise would have been
I had no more pains after two stents were fitted. I did have changes to some of the medication, as some disagreed with me. I play golf with a GP friend and he warned me that I might still get angina just after the surgery but thankfully I haven't. I do always try to carry the angina spray when I'm out, but a year on and I've never used it
Well done completing your first session. Getting started is the hardest part for many and it can be quite daunting for those new to regular exercise, so you're on your way now. I had a HA and quad bypass and signed up for everything! I've always been into fitness and had started my own rehab before the sessions came round, so I found the actual exercises relatively easy. I did get a lot of value from the weekly structure and accountability, plus the social support of being with a bunch of people in the same boat - had a great laugh with them. My only suggestion is while you're in your rehab period work out what you're going to do after it finishes - it's crucial not to have a gap or all that momentum could be lost. Choose activities that are high in convenience and enjoyment, preferably with other people. Once again, well done again and all the best.
Thanks for your support and advice I have already started to explore what is available locally after the rehab ends and feel quite encouraged by what I've discovered so far. I take your point about the dangers of losing momentum and will try to avoid that happening. All the best. Rob.
I expected Rehab would be exercise machines etc something I could build up to but no it was just me with a nurse timing me walking between 2 cones in a gym sized room! Only invited to come twice. The cardiac hub was excellent - thorough testing done even ultra sound. I left so much more confident after a heart attack and 3 stents. I can’t wait for weather to warm up as too freezing cold to go out. I walk my corridor and around kitchen table! You deserve big congratulations.
More encouraging info thanks for that. I have been a bit held back by the cold weather but it has improved today so I'm off for a walk shortly, I appreciate your kind words and congratulations, like you I am doing some activities at home but will be venturing out a lot more now my confidence has been boosted, weather permitting. All the best. Rob
Well done Rob, keep it up-you don't mention if you were still experiencing your angina symptoms during rehab (during/after?) and if so what the rehab team advised. Once I start my cardiac rehab later in March my one ambition is to have the fitness and confidence to go hill walking in the lake district again something I've been frankly terrified of doing since my CHD diagnosis like you compounded by decreased physical activity covid /wft related) and increased angina symptoms.
Hi Richie, no I didn't have any angina symptoms during or after the rehab. I hope your own experience goes well and you can get back to hill walking. My own walking is nowhere near that yet, but I'm going a bit further on relatively level ground than I was unable to do without symptoms before, so making slow but steady progress I think. Cheers, all the best. Rob
Very well done, my only word of caution is don't become complacent and certainly don't overdo it or it will knock you back. Follow the graded increase in exercise and you'll be fine.
You got your rehab really quick...It took me a year...I was caught in-between a rock and a hard place...2 different counties...Hospital and cardiologist in one and my doc etc in the other........fell through the cracks. BUT I had it and I am now signed up to Active life from referral from doc at Dundee University
I suffered a completely unexpected heart attack 2 years ago. Ended up with 3 stents and an EF of 40/45. The rehab was going well but I got Covid that lasted 44 days. I was signed off rehab but found that bu following the book I could continue on my own. I eventually got my fast walking up to 5 miles, then I started to get a range of weird symptoms. Took me months to realise it was the mass, they did not suit me at all. Under the doctor I lowered all of them and stopped 2. I had a heart MRI which showed my EF had gone up to 54. They told me to just keep on walking lol. Since then build up a flange of in house exercises and got a great adjustable hand weight. I lost all of my excess body weight, 3 stone of it. I only get problems if I push myself too far. Pains in ribs and back, but my heart is now great. I was lucky.
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