"Impressed by the quality of the Cardiac Rehab programme "

For the past year, I've been experiencing severe exhaustion due to an arterial narrowing, which, unfortunately, cannot be stented due to the location of the narrowing. Exercising has been difficult due to my condition, so I asked my GP to refer me for Cardiac Rehab to help me, as I've been anxious about over-exercising for fear of having a heart attack.

I am under the care of the Manchester Cardiac Centre at MRI, largely because I previously had a stent fitted there, but, as I currently live in Denton, I was referred to the Physiotherapy Department at Tameside Hospital.

I had an initial meeting with Carolyn who was very thorough in terms of asking about my medical history and current situation and I was then put through some assessment exercises. She then invited me to join the Cardiac Rehab exercise sessions and also the weekly education programme, which she felt, would help boost my confidence. She supplied me with a DVD and exercise sheet giving details of the exercise regime to be undertaken at home.

The exercise sessions are held twice weekly in the department and commence with registration during which blood pressure and heart rate are measured and there is an opportunity to discuss concerns, changes in medication, upcoming appointments, etc. Most of the other current fellow patients (up to about a dozen in number) seem to be in the 50+ age group as this is when heart problems tend to manifest themselves.

After an initial warm-up, there are around a dozen "stations" with a variety of exercises all designed to get the heart moving (treadmill, bicycle, steps, weights, trampoline, etc) and you follow the circuit around the room, a minute at each station. Heart rate is monitored at various points during the exercises. The hour ends with a "winding down" session at which stage blood pressure and heart rate are measured again.

Over the last two to three months, I have been very impressed by all the physiotherapists - their caring nature, the holistic approach they take and their good humour all help to make the sessions invaluable and enjoyable. In my case they expressed concern regarding my current BP level and advised me to see my GP, which resulted in a medication change.

The usual programme seems to consist of 16 sessions, after which patients are furnished with details of local exercise sessions in their communities to continue the regime. I have also noticed that the physiotherapists sometimes help arrange appointments with clinicians when they are necessary.

The Education sessions are equally invaluable, an hour or so each week, covering the following subjects: Stress, Pharmacy, Resus, Healthy Eating, Exercise Advice and Heart Information. I have only been able to attend two so far but, again, I have been impressed at the depth of knowledge and quality of advice available, not to mention the ability to "swap notes" and experiences with other patients. I will definitely attend the other sessions as and when I am able.

I have been extremely impressed by the quality of the Cardiac Rehab programme and by all the staff, who have been professional and caring throughout and have nothing but the highest praise for them.

I was never offered Cardiac Rehab sessions when I was stented five years ago at MRI, and would have undoubtedly benefited had it been to this standard. Well done all.