"Special thanks for your professionalism and patience"

Thought I had chest infection which wouldn’t go away with antibiotics. Sore head constantly, dizzy and profuse sweating. Anyway, got up for bathroom early hours last January and woke up on bedroom floor?

Wife took me to GP that day and within a week in for Cardiograph at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Glasgow. Diagnosed with Angina and referred to Golden Jubilee Hospital, Clydebank, for Angioplasty (20wk waiting list). Blood pressure medication prescribed that day which helped. 

Anyway got cancellation and had angioplasty last week in April. Diagnosis, no heart attack damage present. However one heart artery completely blocked and one other partially blocked. Stent fitted in partial blockage and referred for Complete Total Occlusion (CTO) procedure within 20 weeks. The stent fitting probably alleviated 50% of symptoms, but still felt I was towing a caravan!

Couple of months later I got letter from Cardiac Rehabilitation team at New Victoria Hospital on South side of Glasgow, asking if I’d like to come for assessment and bespoke cardiac programme/advice. Realising this was for my benefit and that I may improve physically I agreed to attend with an open mind as to what could be achieved? 

So anyway, soon attending New Victoria and Gorbals leisure centre rehab classes twice a week for 8 weeks. What can I say! Professionalism, and excellent patient interaction off the scale. 

As a positive experience I cannot thank the cardio, physios enough. Stuck to program and benefits were demonstrable. Felt better and physical tasks which at that point was primarily dog walking became easier and my endurance increased.

Not only does the physical therapy offered by the team improve your general well-being, but also talking to others who are undergoing similar events, improve your mental health by sharing experiences and realising your not alone in physical and mental health symptoms and thoughts. A special thanks to the team, no question ever dismissed, no matter how strange it may seem to the patient. Advice/assurance given 1st class. 

Personally when discharged from program I rejoined my local health centre and stuck with the program given during rehab. Also bumped into a fellow patient at gym who like myself has wholeheartedly bought into the rehab program offered by the team. Like myself the person in question follows the mantra, “prevention and physical maintenance is the logical route to prevent hopefully recurrence “.

Finally a month ago I was admitted to Royal Jubilee for CTO procedure, which consultant was delighted with and personally I notice the physical benefits, and I’m back into the rehab program in my local gym. No longer towing caravan.

Nothing but praise for the NHS who supported and engaged with me throughout the year. From Consultants, nursing, physical therapy teams, everyone involved. Heartfelt thanks. 

To the Cardiac Rehabilitation team within the New Victoria Hospital, special thanks for your professionalism and your patience. 

Best wishes to everyone involved.