Nine volunteers with over 45 years of cardiac rehabilitation experience between them, who volunteer to help other patients rehabilitate following a heart attack or heart procedure, have been recognised for their support to cardiac rehabilitation.
Cardiac rehabilitation volunteers with their certificates and the Cardiac rehabilitation team
The volunteers, all ex-cardiac patients, were presented with certificates by the nursing team to mark their invaluable contribution to cardiac rehabilitation at Eastbourne DGH.
Amy Pennells, Acting Cardiac Rehabilitation Sister said: “The Eastbourne cardiac rehabilitation volunteers are quite simply amazing. They are pivotal to the service we run because they have all been through the service themselves so are well aware of the benefits the exercise programme not only to patient’s physical health but also their mental wellbeing. They provide a great deal of reassurance, support and are able to empathise specifically with the patients we see. We would be unable to run this programme without them. We cannot thank them enough for their hard work and time they dedicate to the service. In particular we wish for them to know how highly valued and appreciated they are. Special thanks went to Richard Ayres who received his 10 year service award for his dedication to cardiac rehabilitation over the years.”
The cardiac rehabilitation team run an outpatient service for those that have experienced a heart attack, heart condition or have undergone a heart procedure. The eight week exercise and education programme promotes long term cardiovascular health to aid long term recovery with the aim of living a heart healthy lifestyle. It also provides the psychological support for the anxiety and depression often associated with a heart event, or living with a heart condition.
Research has shown that cardiac rehabilitation can reduce the risk of having another heart event, being readmitted to hospital and has a positive impact on a person’s wellbeing and quality of life.