Cardiac Rehabilitation is a multi-disciplinary team based in Ayrshire who are here to provide support, advice and education following a cardiac event.
Common conditions we will see include:
- Myocardial Infarction (heart attack)
- Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (stents)
- Valve replacements and repairs
- Coronary Artery Bypass Grafts (bypass surgery)
- ICD & pacemaker insertions
- Heart transplant
- Heart failure
- Inherited Cardiac Conditions
How can we help you?
When you are in hospital after a cardiac event, you may be visited by one of our Specialist Nurses. We will chat to you about your cardiac condition and offer support to help you stay well once you get home from hospital.
Following discharge, you will be invited to a clinic where the team will discuss your well-being, medications, progress, any cardiac risk factors and talk about any goals you would like to set. If you prefer, we can host this appointment over the phone.
Research shows that exercise following a cardiac event is incredibly beneficial for your health. Our Specialist Physiotherapists will be able to support you in becoming more active through a cardiac rehabilitation class or an individualised, home-based programme.
We work closely alongside leisure organisations across Ayrshire and we can refer you to the service that best suits your needs and abilities.
Exercise after a heart attack or surgery
Being physically active may mean that you will experience less cardiac symptoms and feel less fatigued. Your heart muscle needs regular exercise to keep it in a good condition and functioning efficiently. Research shows that being active can reduce mild to moderate anxiety and depression. Other health benefits can include:
- Controls blood pressure and heart rate
- Helps improve diabetes control
- Lowers risk of stroke
- Helps you achieve a healthy weight
- Lowers risk of osteoporosis
- Improve cholesterol levels
- Promotes independence in older people
Making small changes to your physical activity can make all the difference to how you feel.
Useful links
- NHS Inform Cardiovascular Conditions
- Cardiac Rehab and HARP – Facebook
- Cardiac Rehab and HARP – Instagram
- Home – Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland
- Heart and circulatory conditions – BHF
Heart Failure Service
The community heart failure nurses offer support in community clinics or in your own home (housebound patients). They provide education regarding your condition, manage your heart medications and symptoms. The nurses can refer into the rehabilitation side of the service for activity advice, enrolment into a rehabilitation class and additional education depending on your needs.
Useful links
- Heart failure – NHS
- Heart failure | British Heart Foundation – BHF
- Home – Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland
- Pumping Marvellous | The UK’s Heart Failure Charity
ICC – Inherited Cardiac Conditions
Ayrshire and Arran also offer support for those with inherited cardiac conditions (ICC), this is a group of genetic conditions affecting the heart. The local team can help support patients living with these conditions by providing advice and education about your condition, medication management and activity advice. The NICCS website has resources for people affected by inherited heart conditions. This includes a patient forum made up of patients, family members and organisations with an interest in inherited heart conditions.
If you’d like to find out move about NICCS, visit their website NICCS website or email: nss.nicss@nhs.scot
