Cardiac rehabilitation is a programme of exercise and/or lifestyle sessions offered to cardiac patients after they’ve had a cardiac event. It is designed to help patients get back on their feet – both physically and mentally – after a cardiac event or procedure. It can involve gym sessions or other tailored exercises, dietary advice, education, and/or emotional support.
The programme is generally open to those who have had a heart attack (MI), bypass, coronary angioplasty and those fitted with an ICD.
The programme is usually broken down into 4 phases
- Inpatient
- Immediate post discharge
- Outpatient
- Long term maintenance
Phase 1-3
Phases 1-3 usually occur soon after your event and are dictated by the hospital you were treated by.
However, a good portion of our members
Phase 4
If you missed out for any reason – and this is quite possible if your SCA was not due to a heart attack, then you may be able to get yourself on a phase 4 course. These are run by a number of hospitals across the country.
Phase 4 Exercise Programme providers
Find Help
Check out the following Cardiac Rehabilitation Finder feature on the National Audit of Cardiac Rehabilitation website.
Self Help
A number of cardiac-related organisations have produced patient resources in the form of leaflets and videos so that you can part take in rehabilitation from home.
- NHS
- Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Cardiovascular Rehabilitation
- British Heart Foundation
- Oxford Radcliffe Hospital Cardiac Exercise Programme
Typical Cardiac Rehabilitation exercises