Cardiac Rehabilitation
Cardiac rehabilitation, or heart rehabilitation, is the process of getting people back to as full a life as possible after a cardiac or heart event. It is helpful for those who have had a heart attack, a coronary angioplasty, or surgery, such as a coronary artery bypass, a valve or heart transplant operation.
Patients with heart failure or angina also benefit greatly from cardiac rehabilitation. It is part of the treatment after a cardiac event and just as important as the medications and interventions which are prescribed by the doctor for the above conditions.
The Cardiac team
At Lewisham Hospital the cardiac rehabilitation team consists of cardiac specialist nurses and a physiotherapist, as well as a cardiac fitness instructor. After a heart attack, patients are seen by a cardiac nurse on the ward, which is where the rehabilitation process begins. The same thing happens after surgery, usually at Kings College Hospital or another hospital which specialises in heart surgery. Patients who have had surgery are visited at home by our cardiac nurse for further care and those patients who have had a heart attack or coronary angioplasty will be followed up in a cardiac clinic at Lewisham Hospital.
What happens next?
Once recovery has taken place at home after a cardiac event, patients are invited to attend an outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation programme at Lewisham Hospital. The cardiac team runs three courses a week, on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Each course lasts for seven or eight weeks. Most people attending will need to make some lifestyle changes to help prevent further heart problems. It may be that patients would benefit from stopping smoking, losing weight, doing more exercise or getting help with depression or anxiety. The cardiac team are dedicated to helping with these issues.
What takes place during the course?
We aim to help patients’ recovery and improve fitness and strength. We also aim to improve confidence. This achieved by thorough assessments, exercise sessions, relaxation and education. By the time patients leave the Cardiac Rehabilitation programme they should have a full understanding of their condition, know how to exercise safely, be aware of how to make life-style changes and feel confident to lead as full a life as possible.
Cardiac Physiotherapy at Lewisham Hospital
A cardiac physiotherapist is part of the team to ensure patients exercise safely. Many people attending the programme have muscle or joint problems and worry that they may not be able to exercise. The physiotherapist assesses these conditions carefully and modifies the exercises to suit each individual, taking into account their age, so that they feel comfortable and confident to join in. Any patient with a muscle or joint problem that requires treatment is dealt with by the cardiac physiotherapist during the programme and may continue after discharge.
The physiotherapist also assesses some patients before attending the programme. This is usually for patients who have problems other than their heart condition. This helps the team decide which of the programmes is best for the patient and how to best care for them. The physiotherapist, nurses and fitness instructor work very closely with each other and aim to treat patients in a holistic way, caring not just about their heart condition but about their health and wellbeing in general.
Who can refer?
GPs, Consultants and other allied healthcare professionals.
How can you contact the department?
The Department is open between 7.45am - 4.45pm, Monday to Friday, and can be contacted using the following:
T: 020 8333 3148
F: 020 8333 3089
E: LH.Physio-info@nhs.net