Andreas Epiphaniou – Clinical Ergophysiologist writes:

 

 

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a multidisciplinary intervention that includes components of health education, advice on cardiovascular risk reduction, stress management and physical exercise. All these come together and aim to improve cardiac function, quality of life and make daily life activities easier in individuals with heart disease.The phases of CR under the British guidelines are:

Phase I – Onset of events. Close monitoring with your physician(s).

Phase II – In hospital, post surgery. Encourage safe mobility, embrace psychology and management.

Phase III – In a supervised cardiac rehabilitation clinic. This phase lasts for 12 weeks.

Phase IV – Cardiac maintenance that will also incorporate home-based CR exercises.

 

 

 

 

• Enhance cardiac function
• Improve psychosocial behavior
• Increase quality of life
• Improve ease of daily life activities
• Reduce hospitalizations
• Lower risk of event reoccurrence
• Enhance self management of medication and event monitoring
• Increase energy levels
• Improve overall well-being

 

 

 

 

Patients that have suffered the following heart conditions and are in a stable stage with or without medication:

• Angina
• STEMI
• NSTEMI
• CABG
• Chronic Heart Failure
• Heart Transplant
• After ICD/pacemaker implantation
• Acute Coronary Syndrome
• Heart Valve Replacement
• Ischemic / Non-Ischemic Cardiomyopathies
• Post-Partum Cardiomyopathy

SO IM I ELIGIBLE?
If you suffered any of the above conditions, you may be eligible to start your cardiac rehabilitation programme. Always consult your cardiologist for advise and referral to our programme. Our team is here for any concerns or questions you may have and is ready to talk with your cardiologist about your eligibility to the programme.

 

Some of our patients’ questions that you might also share

Akis M. (Chronic Heart Failure)
“I walk for a long time every day and I feel fine. Why do I need to do this?”

Dear Akis,
As we live an automated life nowadays, the average adult spends more time seated than standing up. Walking is therefore better than just doing plain nothing; but is it enough for your heart condition?

Walking is great to keep yourself moving. However, it does not challenge your heart the way it should to make it work better. It does not cause increments and decrements of your heart rate to personally safe and productive levels in order to train the heart to function better. Walking does not enhance muscular hypertrophy hence, increase muscle mass and performance which enables you to safer do the things you enjoy most. Such things can be from a task like gardening or cleaning the house to a hobby like hunting or photography. Of course those are just some examples.

In order to safely better your current condition, a health exercise professional may assist you alongside with your cardiologist to commence cardiac rehabilitation. This will have direct impact on improving your heart condition and therefore your quality of life. As a result, this will make everyday tasks feel easier. You should also always remember that this should not be something that will be a burden in your life, we always like to create a positive atmosphere and have a good time whilst doing something that will improve our overall well-being.

Maria A. (Myocardial Infarction)
“But can I really exercise with my condition? I am afraid I will suffer another attack if I do so.”

Dear Maria,
A very good and totally understandable question. We feel for you as much as you do and want the best for improving your heart condition. It has been shown through various studies that individuals with several heart conditions including myocardial infarction (STEMI and NSTMI) have benefited majorly from cardiac rehabilitation.

As your concern is shared amongst many cardiac patients, I ensure you that cardiac rehabilitation will not only improve your current heart condition and improve your quality of life but will also lower the risk of another future attack which as per your question is your major concern.

The risks according to studies to date in a supervised medical facility are minimal. We make sure you perform all necessary screening tests prior to the commencement of the programme. This way we are sure to have as much information as possible and in communication with your cardiologist we will provide a supervised safe and productive regime. You will always have a specialized health professional next to you and he/she will guide you to safely proceed through the programme.