The cardiac rehabilitation programme is made up of a multi-disciplinary team of nurses, exercise specialists, dieticians and psychological therapists who provide support for patients and their families throughout their experience of heart disease.
The cardiac rehab team aims to help patients approach the future with confidence, and provide information, support, and advice to make lifestyle changes and improve risk factors for long-term lasting adjustments. We hope to inform you about how best to live with your condition and return to your normal daily activities. We can also provide education and information on any procedures or tests that you may have undergone. We aim to see all patients after a cardiac event such as heart attack, coronary artery bypass surgery, coronary angioplasty, heart valve surgery and those with a heart failure diagnosis.
Cardiac Rehabilitation at CUH
Cardiac rehab is delivered by a team of healthcare professionals in a variety of settings, ranging from individual home exercise programmes, virtual exercise classes and face to face group classes at a local leisure centres, community centres and Addenbrooke’s hospital. All patients will receive a 1-2-1 nurse consultation and further care will be tailored to your needs and wants.
We offer education sessions both at Addenbrooke’s hospital, and in Ely, and via online platforms, and exercise sessions at Addenbrooke’s, Ely, North Cambridge (Arbury), Royston, and virtually. We are also able to offer home based exercise programs with support from the team remotely.
You will also be offered advice from dieticians on keeping to a heart healthy diet and psychological wellbeing practitioners on stress management, depression and anxiety. We are also able to offer you referral for additional support with stopping smoking, weight management and reducing alcohol.
We have a range of resources to support you from online videos, written programs and tip sheets to help guide you through your recovery.
Guidance for patients
How you can support yourself while you wait
We aim to contact you either while in hospital (at CUH) or within 14 days of your discharge from another hospital. If you haven’t heard from us by then then please do contact the team (details below). There are things you can do whilst you wait to be contacted by us, to make sure you are increasing your chances of a better recovery. Be sure to take good care of yourself by taking a few smart steps. This can help you avoid complications.
Take Your Medication
You will be advised on what specific medications to take when leaving hospital. Please do take these as instructed. Sometimes medications can give you side-effects. If you think you may have a side-effect and you are concerned by this you can call the Cardiac Rehabilitation team for advice or speak with your GP if this is urgent. Your medications will be reviewed and explained to you as part of your rehabilitation.
Eat Healthily
Stick to healthy foods - Your body needs good nutrition to fight infection and heal following your procedure. If you are unsure about a heart healthy diet please use the British Heart Foundation for approved and researched advice.
- Avoid dehydration - drink at least six-eight glasses of fluid per day, preferably water (unless you have been told to restrict your fluid to a specific amount)
- Alcohol – Avoid drinking alcohol in excess or at all if possible. Alcohol can have many effects on your body but importantly it can reduce your body’s ability to heal. Make sure you are drinking within the recommended limits or lower to improve your ability to heal after your procedure.
Activity
In the first few days after a cardiac event you should try to rest and limit yourself to self-care activities only. In general it is advised to slowly and steadily return to your normal activities over the next few weeks. Walking is a great activity that you can build up slowly and steadily. Start with 5-10 minutes and add a few minutes every few days as possible. Remember this may depend on what you were able to do prior to your cardiac event so do not push yourself to harder levels. You should keep your activity in a light / easy pace until you have had further review with the team.
What should I do if my health is deteriorating?
If you feel that there is a non-urgent change in your condition, please consider requesting a same-day appointment with your GP to be reviewed by your doctor. If you want further advise or have questions you can contact the Cardiac Rehabilitation Team, via 01223 216985.
This is not for urgent concerns.
Urgent Health Advice
For urgent health advice about physical or mental health, when it’s not an emergency, please call 111 from any landline or mobile phone. The NHS 111 service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also visit the NHS website (opens in a new tab).
Life Threatening Emergencies
For something life threatening – severe bleeding, breathing difficulties or chest pains – please dial 999.
Contact us
Please contact the Cardiac Rehab team on our direct number: 01223 216985
For more information and resources, please visit the Cardiac Rehabilitation Service.
Further information is also available on the British Heart Foundation website (opens in a new tab).
Reviewed: 06 December 2024