Cardiac Rehabilitation Service

The service is run across four sites in Hertfordshire and patients can attend whichever centre is closest to them. When the referral is received, depending on diagnosis, the patient will have a telephone support call or a letter with an appointment for an initial assessment.

Initial assessment
This is a one hour appointment to ensure that clinicians have all relevant information for the patient to progress safely through the programme. Observations such as blood pressure, height and weight will be taken and risk factors discussed.

Every week patients attend both an exercise session and an education session.

Exercise test
Before commencing the exercise sessions, and again at the end of the programme, patients will be asked to complete a short exercise walking test to ensure that they are exercising at the most appropriate level for their needs. The exercise sessions are aimed at providing cardiovascular exercise and are circuit based. There is always a warm up and cool down included with a short relaxation session at the end. Patients are monitored throughout.

Education session
There are health education sessions which include:

• how the heart works and cardiac procedures
• risk factors for heart disease
• making changes
• managing medication
• emotional and psychological aspects of heart disease
• healthy eating - for your heart
• benefits of exercise

Questions and discussion are encouraged at all sessions.

One to one support and workshops are available for diet and stress management information. Patients with a diagnosis of heart failure have an additional workshop with advice specific to their condition.

At discharge, patients will have a review meeting to discuss progress and plans for managing their heart condition for the future.

Phase four exercise classes
These follow on from the Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme and are organised by local heart support groups and leisure centres with appropriately trained instructors. Information is provided before discharge from the programme.

• Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of myocardial infarction (Heart Attack)
• Patients following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (Stents)
• Patients following Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
• Patients following heart valve replacement or repair

Please note that heart valve replacement or repair does not always meet the criteria for the E&N Herts exercise classes. Home visits and the home exercise programme is the pathway in this area.

You are welcome to attend with a family member or carer and we will:

• ask about your current health and recovery since your hospital admission and other medical history which is relevant to your attendance at the programme discuss risk factors for heart disease and try to identify with you areas that may have contributed to your condition
• check your blood pressure and pulse
• measure your weight and height then calculate your body mass index (BMI)
• discuss any concerns regarding your emotions or mood
• jointly make a plan and identify goals to be achieved while on the course and for the future
• explain the programme and agree a start date for the programme - usually within a week of the assessment

East & North Hertfordshire

The service can be contacted Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Robertson House
Six Hills Way
Stevenage
Herts
SG1 2FQ

Tel: 0300 123 7571

Useful websites

The British Heart Foundation
A registered charity which provides practical advice, booklets and resources for managing cardiac conditions.
www.bhf.org.uk

Health in Herts
Local resources in Hertfordshire to promote healthy living.
www.hertsdirect.org/healthinherts

Watford Heart Support Group
The group welcomes anyone who has undergone heart problems and also their partners and carers.
www.watfordheartsupportgroup.co.uk

Cardiac Friends
An East & North Herts cardiac support group.
https://cardiacfriends.co.uk/

Useful contacts

Heartbeats
St Albans heart support group
Email: memberhb@gmail.com

Heart to Herts
Hemel Hempstead Heart Support Group aims to give practical support to people with heart problems, their partners or carers and to promote a stimulating and healthy lifestyle in congenial company.
Contact: John Chestnutt
Tel: 01442 253984

East & North Hertfordshire

Patients are referred from Lister Hospital or tertiary hospitals following a cardiac event.

If a GP wishes to make a referral, please read the Diagnosis Pathway document and send referral via eRS. The reason for referral is required and an updated summary of the patient’s condition and medical history. This would include their most recent hospital discharge summary and an echocardiogram report if available.

Cardiac Rehabilitation Service Referral Form

If you would like to share your story, please contact the Patient Experience team on 01707 388036 or email pals.hchs@nhs.net.

We would also love to hear about your experience on our service, please complete a survey by clicking here.