I was put on the NHS pathway , needing an aortic valve replacement6 weeks ago.
Had my op in Spire Manchester, I live on the Wirral.
received a notification that I can’t use the local heart rehab clinic, which is 5 minutes away, because I don’t meet the criteria.
Are they expecting me to travel to Manchester for this.
it is so ridiculous and upsetting , this I can do without.
Has anyone else experienced this?
I was offered no personal rehabilitation at all after my TAVI, just a few tips on what to do and what not to do, and a link to a booklet suggesting exercises. And there are courses on line. In your situation, I wouldn't want to travel any distance but I can understand your dismay if you're only five minutes away from a rehab clinic.
I had my TAVI in May last year and my post op experience was exactly the same as yours. I left hospital with a bag of medication only. I had two bags of belongings as I'd been in hospital for7 weeks. I was told that one was too heavy for me to carry but the other one wasn't.
Hi, hope you’re feeling better now and your recovery is going well. Have a look at the Pumping Marvellous website. There’s a whole section on there about Rehab and courses. Maybe contact one of the B.H.F nurses to see if they can possibly liaise with your local Cardiac Rehab Unit on your behalf?
After my valve replacement, (which was in a specialist cardio /thoracic unit), the Rehab Nurses visited and then referred me to the Cardiac Rehab unit based at my local hospital - which is where I then attended classes, once well enough (and when they had availability).
Were you advised of the reasoning behind their decision? It seems so unreasonable, that when you’re recovering from such major surgery - you’re having to fight for support and aftercare . I hope you get it resolved.
Did you choose to have your op at the Spire in Manchester? As Aintree or Broad Green hospitals where closer. Don't know if the Royal do cardiology? I have only been to Aintree and Broad Green .
Have you spoke to your GP about cardiac rehab as they will beable to refer you to your local one .
Did they give you a reason why you didn't meet the criteria?
No idea how far it is from the Wirral to Manchester, Oxford is about as far north I've ever been, but I was travelling nearly an hour and 40 miles each way to go to rehab. Admittedly I live in a rural location so have to travel to do anything.
Sounds odd. What's the criteria? Your GP should be able to refer you.
I had open heart surgery to replace my aortic valve. Covid was raging and pretty much everything was closed, so no rehab attendance.
I walked every day, just up and down my road. Increased the distance a little each day. I also did a little bit of seated exercise at home.
I spoke to the hospital nurses by phone every fortnight. Nothing to report but it was reassuring.
After about 14 weeks I was fully recovered and felt just wonderful.
Of greater importance I now get called to my local hospital every year for a couple of scans. So far so good.
Do ring the BHF nurses.
Best wishes
Sooty
Well done you. I used to have a yearly echo cardiogram but now its every 2 years. The last one wasn't done properly and they missed reporting on my dilated signus of valsalva
I had my aortic valve replaced and a type A dissection of the aorta where they carried out a 20mm repair, this was back in 2016, I also was told I didn't meet the criteria for rehab.I've never got back my usual fitness level and I'm sure its because I wasn't given the rehab advice in the beginning.
So I simpathise with you. I gave up trying.
Sorry I can't be of more help 😔
If you were not given the reasons for attending the local rehab centre I suggest you contact the unit that issued the notification to you to find out. When you do establish what the reasons are, your GP may be able to help. But not everyone gets rehab it seems, where you live is a factor in that. Finally talk to the BHF Heart helpline nurse who should be able to tell you what to do and not to do as part of your recovery, and will perhaps direct you to the BHF online cardio rehab course on the website
Try accessing any local, or online support groups, which are often very beneficial alongside medical therapy.
I didn't attend rehab classes after my ohs last October, I just sorted myself out. But then I'm not a great joiner of stuff really. Anyway it's all working out fine, so that's OK 👍 Don't they do cardio surgery at Arrowe Park anymore then? Having said that, my brother in law had his first heart op at Broad Green and he lived in Prenton. Then he had his second op some years later at Arrowe Park...
Hi. I had my ohs in september. 5 months on i am still getting pains on my left. I am told it is muscle pain but i am getting fed up and anxious. How long did your pains last please? Thanks
I've been pain-free since about five weeks after the op. The pain just tailed off, I was very fortunate. The surgeon told me I had made a fast recovery all way from Day One to when I met him for the six week check. I wish you well with your recovery, all I can say is don't try to rush it. Remember rest is essential after surgery. You don't have to try and turn yourself into an Olympic athlete if that's not your thing. It certainly isn't mine... I'm just turned 79, and a spot of birdwatching along the local footpaths is more my way of keeping fit and healthy. Or going for a walk with a camera... Take care 🙂
Thanks very much for that. I never met my surgeon after i left the hospital. Some one from his team rang after 6 weeks and asked me a few questions. He said i was revovering well and before i could ask him my questions he said he was going to discharge me and that was it, no more contact with anyone except my gp and rehap nurses.I am beginning to think i am just unfortunate or something else is wrong and that makes me anxious..
I am attending exercise class once a week for my plase 4. Maybe i should go for more. Thanks
Take care
Hello, My husband has had two ohs (replacement valves) and when I enquired about cardiac rehab I was informed he did not qualify for the course. In our area it only seems open to people who have had heart attacks. We are Hertfordshire based and it seems like a postcode lottery.
I really hope that you are offered it as I believe it would really have helped my husband not only physically but also mentally build confidence back.
Wishing you well.
The hospital can send you the rehab exercises and advice electronically then you can get on with it on your own.
I had a triple heart bypass operation last June I was told that when U get out U have rehab. I never had any I done it myself.
Is this a case of having op. done privately and wanting rehab on N H S. ?? I am not understanding the situation.
Hi,
Following an OHSCA in 2021 I did a small amount of rehab in a local hospital. It was OK but felt a bit pedestrian. Subsequently I was referred to a local specialist gym and the interview felt very touch and go. At the time my LVEF was pretty low and I had been given a pretty low MET score of around 5. The guy doing the assessment seemed to be more interested in covering his own back, not wanting me to collapse! I was reluctantly allowed to do the sessions but it was very demoralising at the time. The sessions were OK but less than inspiring.
Some time ago after the gym sessions had finished, I started cycling again, on the flat and with a heart chest monitor. It's been great. It has since occurred to me that a lot of pro cyclists use Zone2 training where the heart rate is kept very low for a particular training benefit. This feels like a much more positive approach than telling people YOU ARE GOING TO DIE! (if your heartbeat exceeds X bpm.)
The UK rehab facilities and offerings seem very limited and to be honest a lot of the online support is far from inspiring, pictures of balding guys in cardigans holding beach balls (wood de woop). I'm 66 and try to cycle 20-30km 3 or 4 times a week.
Last year on one of my rides at a coffee stop I was in the queue next to a woman who was running. I sort of recognised her. We eventually said Cardiac! She had bumped me out of my private room in the CCU after my event and we had then both attended the hospital rehab. She'd experienced a SCAD at the time. 18 months or so later the was in training for the London Marathon! It was an expensive coffee though worth it.
Hello , I wouldn't be too concerned. You can go cardiac rehab at home via video link / teams/ zoom and alll that. Alternatively there are private providers such CP&R who do it g better anyway...Google them, one of their seniors is based in Manchester. Alternatively any good physio. Worth their salt should be ablfvto guide you through.
You ll need a heart beat monitor though ....a polar device is best. Let me know if you need any further info.
Did you have open surgery or keyhole?
I did the cardio rehab, a 6 week course. It's really low level stuff, just stretching and very low intensity jogging and static bike. Nothing I couldn't do myself.
Hi
I had AVR 12 weeks ago in Golden Jubilee NHS board (trust)
I am able to use Cardiac rehab services at NHS Greater Glasgow. QEU hospital which is nearer me.
Sound like NHS trusts in the North West of England are not talking to each other.
Escalate your case and if no success get your elected members MP involved
Hi the rehab is no big deal anyway...they just ask you about your lifestyle and diet then go on to advise you to eat a healthy diet and do some sort of light exercise a few times per week...basically it stuff you can do yourself.
Hi had good experience Had valve replaced via TAVI saw the rehab nurse 10 days later started rehab at 7 weeks for 6 weeks Gentle Exercise gradually increasing over the weekss 6 stages of it to do also talks on medicines diets exercise once a week for half a hour At end I was told jow high I could allow my heart rate to go during exercise and what sports I must never do Luckily at 75 they were things I wouldn't want to do. It was well worth doing and I met other people going through the same thing which was much better than doing it on your own
I
I was refused rehab because I use a wheechair. That was the decision of just one nurse. I found out later from teh senior nurse, it should have been allowed so do ask what their reasons were.
Cornwall does not provide cardiac rehab for AVR patients only for bypass patients, so also left without any.
cardiac rehab at home-level 1programme is on UTUBE. Good luck.
Heart Bypass Soon
Cardiac rehab
Cardio Rehab
