Hartlepool heart patients getting back to health at new marina facility with NHS rehab sessions
Heart patients have told how rehab sessions have helped them get back on their feet after undergoing surgery and suffering heart attacks.
Returning to work, spending time with grandchildren and training for 5k runs have all been made possible thanks to cardio care received by several Hartlepool patients.
Chris Dodds’ recovery has been aided by an eight-week cardiac rehab programme run by NHS University Hospitals Tees staff at the town’s new Highlight Active Wellbeing Hub.
The 63-year-old from Hartlepool had heart valve repair surgery after noticing feeling more out of breath than usual while walking on holiday.
Chris, who runs his own landscape business, said of the rehab programme: “I don’t know what I would have done without it.
“You start feeling week on week you’re getting fitter and fitter. You have people there so you have a safety net round you and you can go as hard or as slow as you want.”
He can now do more of the heavy duty tasks at work again and has been motivated by fellow group members including Mike Ritchie.
Mike is aiming to complete his first post-op 5k run by Christmas after having stents fitted.
Hartlepool granddad Rob Snowdon, 67, is also now well on his way recovery after having a triple heart bypass.
He says the rehab sessions make him do regular exercise and also provide educational talks on healthy eating, mental health and mindfulness.
“I’m back on my allotment doing simple tasks that I could not do four or five months ago, and I’m enjoying time with my grandkids again without being tired,” said Rob.
The North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust’s cardiac rehab team recently received national recognition after achieving green certification – the highest award available – from the British Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation (BACPR).
Janine O’Rourke, cardiac rehabilitation specialist nurse lead, said she is glad the service is getting the recognition it deserves.
“It’s a huge achievement as there are only two trusts in our region who currently have had the green certification two years consecutively,” she said.
Rehab sessions are held in community venues across the Tees Valley twice a week offering a mix of cardio and strength exercises tailored to each individual.