Cardiology Department
Rehabilitation
Information for patients
We currently provide Cardiac Rehabilitation to the following groups of patients:
- Post Myocardial Infarction, with or without angioplasty
- Post elective and emergency angioplasty
- Post Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
- Post valve replacement/repair
- SCAD (Sudden Coronary Artery Dissection)
The British Association of Cardiac Rehabilitation considers the following to be core components of cardiac rehabilitation; our care is based around these guidelines:
- Improve levels of physical activity and exercise
- Diet and weight management
- Smoking cessation
- Risk factor management
- Psychosocial care
- Cardio-protective drug therapy
- Education
- Long-term management strategy
Cardiac rehabilitation is structured into four phases:
Phase 2: Recovery after discharge
All patients who are referred will be offered advice and cardiac rehabilitation either as an inpatient or in the early recovery phase by telephone or in a follow up clinic.
Sessions are supervised by Senior Charge Nurse Kelvin Iles, Sister Nikki Rose, Sister Rachel Lunnon, Sister Juliette Slight, Sister Sarah Griffiths and Nurse Specialists Cheryl Evans, Trudy Morrisey and Sandra Durham.
We are supported by a Cardiology specialist service co-ordinator, Judith Jones.
The Cardiac Rehabilitation team can be contacted on:
01225 825028
or
The office hours are: Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm.
Phase 1: In Hospital
For those patients who have been admitted as an emergency and suffered a heart attack or unstable angina and then proceed to angioplasty or if you have been admitted electively for an angioplasty.
We offer written advice and explanations to the patient and their families about their admitting condition. This is followed up with a risk factor assessment and discharge advice including a walking programme, angina management, sexual activity, driving restrictions and vocational advice. 'Phase 3' classes are offered to all patients who fall into eligible groups. This is regarded as part of the standard care which all patients should be encouraged to take part in if they are able.
Phase 2: Recovery after Discharge
Those patients who have undergone Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery and any other patient who has received 'Phase 1' rehabilitation in another hospital are contacted by post to outline the date of their follow up appointment.
Phase 3: Outpatient Rehabilitation Programme
The Outpatient Rehabilitation Programme is aimed at patients:
- Following heart attack with or without Angioplasty
- Following Angioplasty or Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
- Following Valve Surgery
- Any other group of cardiac patient who would benefit from cardiac rehabilitation based on a specific physical or psychological need, if the patient can be safely and appropriately accommodated within the current structure of the programme and has been referred by their Cardiologist
The programme is not suitable for the following patients :
- With untreated ventricular tachycardia on exercise
- On the urgent list for Cardiac Catheterisation
- With uncontrolled left ventricular dysfunction
- With unstable angina
What the programme involves
Patients are offered a moderate intensity gradually increasing exercise programme. Alongside this an education programme provides information about risk factor modification, psychological support and long term management of coronary heart disease.
The programme will be modified to meet the individual patient’s medical or physical condition if required.
- The classes are structured over 8 weeks, you will be invited to attend either once or twice a week depending on the location of your programme
- They run at the RUH in the physiotherapy gym on Fridays from 1pm until 3pm; and at Odd Down Sports Centre in Bath on a Tuesday evening between 5pm - 8pm. The classes take place once a week
- For patients outside of the Bath area there will be referral to the local cardiac rehabilitation team - e.g. Mendip
- We also offer a home-based 'phase 3' programme called the Heart Manual. This runs over 6 weeks and is facilitated by a named nurse
Preparation for the sessions
- Clothing appropriate for exercise
- Patients need to bring water to drink
- Guidelines for those patients with diabetes is included in the patient leaflet:
Phase 4: Long Term Maintenance
These are classes which are held in leisure centres or community settings and provide long term exercise classes for those patients who have completed a Phase 3 programme or who have been referred by their GP.