Exercises for the heart (From Echo)

Exercises for the heart

10:20pm Tuesday 9th June 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

TRY to conjure up an image in your mind of someone who has suffered a heart attack.

Then attempt to picture that same person, glowing or even perspiring on a treadmill, cross trainer or rowing machine, while seemingly enjoying themselves.

It’s a difficult proposition yet this is exactly what a number of patients who have experienced serious heart problems are doing to try to turn their lives around.

In fact, the Cardiac Rehabilitation Course, which runs twice a week at Canvey’s Waterside Farm Sports Centre, has just welcomed its 300th member through their doors.

“There is a myth people who have suffered heart attacks or heart problems are incapable or have very poor health,” says Lita Freegard, head coach at the centre and a British Association for Cardiac Rehabilitation instructor.

“Most are not, but they do need confidence building as much as physical health re-building, and that’s what this is for.”

The course, which is part-funded by Castle Point Council, is an exercise programme that has been designed specifically for people who have undergone a heart bypass, attack, angiogram or those who suffer from a congenital heart condition.

Officially known as cardiac rehabilitation phase four, where the first phase is the heart problem and its effect – for example a heart attack, the second is resting at home, the third is an introduction to exercise at a hospital, the course improves peoples’ fitness through a closely monitored work-out programme.

Lasting around 90 minutes, patients can use anything from an exercise bike to a treadmill as part of a cardio vascular exercise programme.

“If someone has had a heart attack there will be damage to the heart muscle itself,” explains Lita.

“Cardio exercise makes the rest of the heart more efficient.

“It also improves the circulation of blood through the body and the carrying of oxygen through the body.”

In between working out on these machines, patients are encouraged to use resistance stations, such as dumbbells. This gives them a rest from the cardio vascular exercise and improves muscle mass which can help with weight loss programmes.

“It’s designed to continue the level of improvement they have gained at the hospital through level three,” says Lita.

“It gets their head around the idea exercise is normal and that being breathless isn’t part of their condition, but is part of exercise.”

Although there are potential dangers for people with heart conditions taking exercise, Lita is keen to point out they are “measured risks”.

Before every session, all patients have their health and blood pressure checked and are made aware of the individual regime they are about to take.

They are watched thoroughly throughout the session and have to check out when they leave.

Janet Bush, 61, from Benfleet, suffered an unexpected heart attack in October and was recently signed up as the 300th member, since the group started nine years ago.

“It was a very frightening experience and it knocked me for six,” says Janet, not even appearing to be out of breath from her session.

“I lost confidence and became a prisoner in my own home.

“When you have a heart attack you become a medical patient, but you just want to become a human being again.”

The former retail worker, who was forced to retire after the attack, started attending the course five weeks ago, and has already noticed a marked improvement.

“I get a great deal of pleasure from it and it’s not a chore,” she admits.

“You feel so much better about yourself when you have finished, though I can’t say you feel quite so good when your doing it!

“It’s improving my self-esteem and I feel like I’m getting my life back.”

About 12 to 15 people attend the ten-week course, which runs from 2pm to 4pm on Tuesdays and Fridays at the centre, in Somnes Avenue, at a cost of £3.50 per session.

Patients can be referred to the course by Southend Hospital, Basildon Hospital’s Cardiothoracic Unit, a GP, or through self referral.

They can also continue to attend the sessions after ten weeks, at a reduced rate, and will have less supervision from Lita.

But it’s good news for the centre as the NHS has just given a grant so another instructor can be trained to supervise a class on Thursday evenings.

“This will allow us to provide an extra session for people who go back to work after a heart attack,” says Lita.

“The only option for these people before was to either go to a gym with unqualified staff, or to go back to their old life styles.”

For more information on the course contact the council on 01268 882200.

There is also a phase four course at St Peters Hall, in Eastbourne Grove, Westcliff, which runs on Wednesday mornings.

Call 01702 292554 for details.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)