Cardiac Rehab (community)

Active Programmes

Manor Clinic

18 Ridgeway Road

Sheffield

S12 2ST

0114 3078260

Sth.cardiacrehab@nhs.net

• Improves recovery from heart attack, procedure or heart surgery
• Reduces the risk of further heart problems
• Increases confidence in managing your cardiac condition
• Increases understanding of your heart condition and getting back to as full a life as possible
• Increasing muscle strength and fitness
• Helping you to make changes to your lifestyle that will help improve your heart health such as eating healthily, stopping smoking and being more active
• Improving your mental health and wellbeing
• Meeting other people who are in a similar situation to yourself

Here is a video explaining the benefits of Cardiac Rehabilitation Cardiac rehabilitation - BHF

• Improve your fitness so you feel more confident
• Improve your muscle strength
• Improve your mental wellbeing
• Help you feel less tired and have more energy
• Reduce your risk of being admitted to hospital
• Help you understand and manage your condition better

• You will get most benefit from doing a group cardiac rehabilitation programme, where you can be guided, monitored and progressed by our specialist staff. You may also find some benefit by being with other people with similar conditions, who may be experiencing similar symptoms and challenges. We can offer alternative options, if you are unable to engage with this. This can be discussed at your initial assessment.
• All patients will be expected to attend a clinic for a walking test, before and after the programme.
• The Group programme: It is expected that you will attend twice a week for 6 weeks. Each session lasts approximately 90 mins. The groups will be with other people with cardiac conditions (usually 10-12 people). Each week, one of the sessions will include an information topic, about managing your cardiac condition or how to make heart healthy changes to your lifestyle.
• The Home based programme is a structured personalised exercise programme, which will include home visits and telephone calls to discuss, carry out exercises and progress your programme. You are expected to be independent with your exercises between sessions. Information and advice about recovery and managing your cardiac condition will also be personalised to your needs.

• You will be sent a letter confirming your referral and you will have to call us to confirm that you want to go ahead.
• Our physios and nurses will then look at your medical records, including your medication to make sure everything is ok, before we invite you by letter for an initial assessment.
• Generally, the initial assessment will take place on the phone and we will ask you some simple questions about your condition and any other health conditions you may have.
• We will then invite you to come to clinic to undertake a walking test, before starting the programme. This walking test will enable us to prescribe you an individual exercise programme. We will also ask you what you want to achieve by doing the programme and help you to set a goal.
• If all goes well, we will give you a start date for the programme at this appointment
• As part of the programme, we ask you to gradually increase your every day activity and walking and some simple exercises at home. This is to help you get the most benefit from the programme (guidance will be provided).
• Following the six-week programme we repeat the walking test and encourage you to maintain your lifestyle changes long term, for your heart health. Depending on your goal, we can refer you onto a maintenance programme at home, a local leisure centre or alternative activity that suits you.
• If at any time during the programme, it’s not safe or appropriate for you to exercise, we may ask you to see your GP for some support we cannot provide. Please bear with us, as we only want the best for you.

When attending cardiac rehabilitation please wear loose fitting clothing and sensible footwear to exercise in – ideally trainers, no sandals or heels. Please bring the following:

• GTN spray, if prescribed
• A drink i.e. water/squash
• Reading glasses/hearing aids if needed
• Reliever inhaler, if prescribed
• Walking aid, if required
• If diabetic please bring a snack

You will usually be referred by the cardiac rehabilitation staff in hospital, other specialist nursing staff or Consultant. However your GP or other healthcare professional can also refer. We will need to obtain your medical history before accepting you onto the programme.

What to expect at assessment?

We aim to do an initial telephone call to discuss your medical history, symptoms, concerns and goals. You will then attend a face to face assessment in clinic which includes carrying out a simple walking test. If appropriate you will then be offered a start date on a programme.

How often do I need to attend?

All patients will be expected to attend assessment before and after the programme at one of community venues. Our programmes run over six consecutive weeks and there are two sessions per week.

What can I expect from a session?

The information and advice component covers a range of topics, including:

How the heart works
Healthy Eating
The benefits of exercise and maintenance
Medication
Basic Life support
Mental Wellbeing

The exercise component comprises exercises tailored to you.

How can I access the service?

You will usually be referred by a healthcare professional on discharge from hospital. They will be able to tell you about how the programme works and how it will help you. We will need to obtain your medical history before accepting you on the programme.

What are your current waiting times? 

We aim to contact patients within 5 working days of receipt of referral. You can get a more accurate time by discussing with our admin team via phone or email.

What if I am unable to leave home?

Do you offer home visit?You will get the most benefit from doing the programme in a group setting but if this is not possible we can offer home visits. You can talk about this with our Admin team or during the initial assessment.

Can I bring my relative/carer with me? 

Yes, they can sit and wait for you whilst you exercise and can sit in on the information sessions.

Do you offer weekend appointments/sessions? 

Feedback from other patients has not highlighted enough interest for the service to run a group in the evenings/weekends. Our working hours are Monday to Friday from 08:30 to 16:30, excluding bank holidays.

Cardiac rehab resources for patients and healthcare professionals - BHF

This phase of cardiac rehabilitation occurs when a patient has been discharged from hospital. Referrals from secondary care can be made via Single Point of Access or email.