Cardiac Rehabilitation

Marie Minogue, Cardiac Rehabilitation Clinical Nurse Specialist.

Kathryn O’Sullivan, Cardiac Rehabilitation Clinical Nurse Specialist.

Dr Martin Quinn, Consultant Cardiologist.

Tel: 01-2214957

Fax: 01-2094968

What is Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme?

Cardiac Rehabilitation is a structured exercise and education programme designed to help patients recover from their heart event. It is a multi-disciplinary approach to improve short-term recovery and to promote long-term changes in lifestyle.

Who is Eligible to Participate in a Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme?

In this hospital

Cardiac Rehabilitation provides a service for recovering patients
Heart Attack (myocardial infarction)
Angioplasty and stents
Coronary artery bypass grafts
Valve surgery
Patients with angina may also benefit from this programme

What are the Aims of Cardiac Rehabilitation?

Improve heart function and general health, partly through exercise
Support you in making long-term changes in your lifestyle
Increase your confidence
Modify the risk factors for heart disease
Reduce the risk of heart events in the future
Give you a better quality of life

Who is involved in Cardiac Rehabilitation?

We have a multidisciplinary team, led by a cardiac rehabilitation co-ordinator that includes the following:

Consultant Cardiologist
Cardiac Registrar
Clinical Nurse Specialists
Dieticians
Health Promotion Nurse
Pharmacist
Physiotherapists
Psychotherapist
Secretary
Social Worker

Benefits of Cardiac Rehabilitation

Those who participate in the programme and follow the lifestyle advice, may expect improvements in:

Personal fitness
Physical and emotional well-being
Quality of Life
Blood pressure
Cholesterol management
Weight control
Understanding of medications

What is the Process of Cardiac Rehabilitation?

Cardiac Rehabilitation is divided into four phases or stages:

Phase 1

Phase I pertains to the in-hospital stage of your recovery. A cardiac rehabilitation nurse will meet you and your spouse/partner/significant other. The main focus at this stage is providing basic information about your diagnosis and it’s implications. Cardiac risk factors are assessed and discussed if appropriate. You will receive advice about adopting a healthier lifestyle. You will also receive advice about driving, returning to work, exercise and any individual priorities will be discussed and plans made for further follow-up. You will receive a discharge booklet (see link) and the contact details of the cardiac rehabilitation nurses before discharge. If you are scheduled for heart surgery, you will receive information about your operation at this stage. The multidisciplinary team may also be involved.

Phase II

This includes the period from discharge until you start the cardiac rehabilitation programme (Phase III). It can be a stressful time for you and your family. You will receive a phone call a few weeks after discharge from our Health Promotion Nurse who will invite you into a group meeting, facilitated by a cardiac rehabilitation nurse and a physiotherapist. The meetings are scheduled for Tuesday afternoons at 14.00hrs and normally last one and a half hours. This is an opportunity to discuss cardiac risk factors, exercise, medications, mood, any ongoing symptoms and lifestyle changes. You may also phone the Cardiac Rehabilitation Nurses to arrange an individual meeting for advice.

Other resources available to you include:

Stop Smoking Courses
The Irish Heart Foundation (www.irishheart.ie)

Phase III

Phase III is a six-week structured exercise and education programme. There are usually eleven patients in a group. In this hospital we have two programmes which presently are run on a:

Monday and Wednesday, starting at 09.45hrs and finishing at 12.00hrs.

Tuesday and Thursday, starting at 09.50 hrs and finishing at 12.15hrs. Additionally patients attend a group psychotherapy sessions on one Wednesday morning. (The days and times are subject to change)

Your spouse/partner/relevant other is encouraged to attend the sessions with you, if possible. You will have an exercise stress test before attending the phase III programme and an individual exercise regime is prescribed accordingly. If necessary, a physiotherapist will assess you before the programme starts. During the programme, a team member gives an education talk at each session on topics such as healthy eating, coping with your condition, risk factors for heart disease and medications. The programme includes a visit to a local supermarket to help with food choices. Patients receive individual psychotherapy sessions if required. At the end of phase III the nurse, physiotherapist and psychotherapist send a combined letter to your G.P. and consultant cardiologist outlining your progress during the programme.

Phase IV:

Phase IV refers to long-term maintenance. Patients who have attended the Cardiac Rehabilitation programme are invited to return to a Refresher session, approximately 9-12 months following completion of the programme. This is an evening session run by the multidisciplinary team members.

The Cardiac Rehabilitation team can be contacted at the above number for advice/information related to your cardiac condition or to discuss how you can participate in a programme. We can also be contacted to discuss potential referrals.