Cardiac rehabilitation

Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised programme of exercise training, education and support for people recovering from a heart attack, heart surgery, angioplasty or living with heart failure. It helps you recover strength, understand your condition and reduce the risk of future problems.

• An initial assessment of your fitness and risk factors

• Supervised, individually tailored exercise sessions

• Education on medicines, diet, symptoms and returning to work

• Support for stress, anxiety and low mood

• Help to stop smoking

People after a heart attack, angioplasty or stenting, bypass or valve surgery, and many people with stable heart failure or angina, after assessment by their cardiologist.

Guidelines strongly recommend cardiac rehabilitation after coronary events. Participation is associated with better exercise capacity and quality of life, and with fewer hospital readmissions.

Exercise is prescribed at a safe intensity after assessment and supervised by trained staff. Tell the team immediately about chest pain, dizziness or unusual breathlessness.