Phase IV Cardiac Rehab Classes
Cardiac rehabilitation is an active process that takes place after a heart attack or heart surgery. It aims to restore a patient to, and maintain him or her at, an optimum level of physical and mental well being. It requires patients to assume responsibility for their own health and well being, and to realise their potential to lead an active life. Cardiac rehabilitation involves a multi-professional team, which could include:
- Medical doctor
- Nurse
- Dietician
- Counsellor
- Exercise physiologist
- Physiotherapist
- Occupational therapist
Cardiac rehabilitation is designed for patients who have:
- Myocardial infarction (MI) or ‘heart attack’
- Stable angina
- Undergone coronary revascularisation (coronary artery bypass grafts or angioplasty) or ‘bypass surgery’
- Mild heart failure
- Undergone surgical procedures, such as valve replacements or heart transplants
4 Phases of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Process
Phase I
This covers the general health advice given during the acute phase of illness. This takes place in hospital, usually in a coronary care unit, after MI or heart operation.
Length: Approx. 5 – 14 days
Phase II
This is the period after hospitalisation when a patient returns home and is under the care of a GP. During this time, a patient may be contacted by a local Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) Specialist Practice Nurse who will provide general health advice. Alternatively, a patient maybe introduced to the heart manual (a self help book).
Length: Approx. 2 – 6 weeks.
Phase III
A patient is invited to attend the out patient rehabilitation exercise and/or health education program when they are deemed fit enough by the hospital medical team.
Phase III rehabilitation classes involve:
- Safe incremental progression of physical activity, under medical supervision
- Health education
- Stress management
- Relaxation
Patients from Bracknell Forest should be invited to attend Windsor Leisure Centre for their phase III exercise and education classes; These are run by Heatherwood and Wexham Park hospital’s cardiac rehab team. these classes are very beneficial for those wanting to help themselves get fit and healthy, and they reduce the chance of future heart operations and heart attacks.
Length: Once a week for approx. 8 – 12 weeks.
Phase IV
Patients graduating from Phase III exercise classes are referred on to local phase IV exercise classes to continue improving their fitness levels. Direct referral from the phase III team is the only way to access phase IV – you cannot bypass phase III classes and be referred directly by your GP.
The Activate Scheme runs 2 classes per week at Crownwood Community Centre under the Activate umbrella. These exercise classes are instructed by qualified British Association of Cardiac Rehabilitation instructors, so patients can be assured they are in safe and knowledgeable hands. Once referred, patients may attend phase IV classes indefinitely or alternatively choose to partake in the exercise referral scheme. Activate simply aims to provide regular long term opportunities for cardiac rehab patients to exercise under specialist supervision if they would like to. Regular attendees of phase IV classes find them motivating because of the friendly, social and supportive environment created by exercising regularly with others who have a similar medical background.
If you would like further information about the local cardiac rehab process and how to attend phase IV classes please call the Council's Health Improvement Officer on 01344 352535.
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