Cardiac rehabilitation and Healthy Hearts is a programme of education and exercise to help people manage their heart condition.
What cardiac rehabilitation is
A cardiac event is
- a heart attack, also known as Myocardial Infarction (MI)
- cardiac surgery such as a heart bypass or having a stent fitted
If you've had a cardiac event, you should get advice from appropriately qualified medical professionals before you start exercising.
Phases 1, 2 and 3 cardiac rehabilitation
Phases 1, 2 and 3 cardiac rehabilitation is for anyone who's had a cardiac event. It includes exercise, advice and information delivered by medical staff in a hospital, like Southmead or Bristol Royal Infirmary, or at a sports centre.
Exercising under medical supervision will give you confidence to continue exercising after you've finished phase 3. If you've completed phases 1 to 3, you can be transferred to Phase 4.
Phase 4 cardiac rehabilitation: Healthy Hearts
Phase 4 cardiac rehabilitation (Healthy Hearts) is available to anyone who has, or has had:
- angina
- cardiac surgery
- a stent fitted
- coronary heart disease (CHD)
It is a programme of ongoing exercise and lifestyle changes.
The sessions are run and supervised by a specialist fitness instructor qualified through the British Association of Cardiac Rehabilitation (BACR).
How it can help you
The Healthy Hearts programme can help you learn how to manage your condition and reduce your risk of another cardiac event, by:
- helping you exercise safely
- giving you advice on other beneficial exercise
You can also talk to other people who have cardiac conditions.
All of which will help you feel better and reduce any anxiety or depression you might feel.
How to get a referral
Your cardiac rehabilitation team can refer you to Phase 4 Healthy Hearts if you've recently completed Phase 3.
If your heart attack or surgery was more than six months ago, your GP can refer you.
They'll need to complete the pdf BACPR referral form (80 KB) and send it directly to the instructor where you want to attend your classes. Once the instructor has received your form, they'll contact you to discuss when you'd like to start.
What classes you can do
Healthy Hearts classes are available at different times of the day and at weekends. Lots of the classes are drop in sessions, so you don't have to commit to attending a class every week.
If you want to go to more than one class, your instructor needs to pass on your medical details to another instructor. Let them know if you'd like to do this.
There is a charge for each session which will vary from site to site. Ask the instructor for prices when they contact you.
Where you can attend Healthy Hearts classes
You can attend Healthy Hearts classes at these centres:
Lyde Green Community Centre (Formerly known as Brunel Fitness Centre)
Contact Kara Penney
Call 07531 009 371
Horfield Leisure Centre
Contact Sam Howell
Call 07809 481 636