Cardiac Rehabilitation will commence with an initial telephone consultation, shortly after being discharged from hospital after your heart event. If you have had a heart attack or stents this will usually be within 1 working day. If you have had heart surgery this will usually be within 10 working days.
At this telephone call we will discuss your heart event and what you may be able to expect in the early recovery period whilst at home. We will discuss your medications, any symptoms you many be experiencing and any follow up appointments or tests you may require. We can also provide practical tips and advice, such as the easiest way to put on surgical stockings or to remind you of any legal requirements for driving after a heart event.
You will be encouraged to ask questions at this time and will be provided with our telephone contact details should you think of any additional questions later. We will assess your cardiac risk factors at this time (such as if you smoke, your usual / pre-event exercise levels, dietary intake etc.) and provide some basic advice about how best to manage these in the early days.
We will also provide some guidance as to how to gradually increase your general activity to help you recover.
During this telephone call you will be invited to attend a face to face assessment appointment in order to begin the cardiac rehab exercise and education programme (British Heart Foundation – What is Cardiac Rehab?)
