Cardio-Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation

This programme is delivered by the Physical Activity Team and provides a L4 cardiopulmonary rehabilitation exercise specialist. The programme targets people who either are recovering from heart problems or heart surgery and those with lung disease. The aim of the 8 – 12 week programme is to enable individuals to achieve and maintain better health and lifestyle. Individuals are encouraged to become independent exercisers so that they can reap the benefits of leading an active lifestyle. Participants are offered safe and effective exercise
Referral via healthcare practitioner is required. There is a cost to this programme

Case Studies

THE COMMITMENTS 

#1

“ A lovely friendly incentive to get out and head for the gym!”

The Commitments, we are a group of people who met through our shared experience of recovering from cardiac procedures, and subsequent cardiac referral to Tom (at the Physical Activity Service).

Initially there were three of us who met at his twice weekly sessions (at Everyone Active’s Whitwick and Coalville Leisure Centre). We struck up a friendship and went for a coffee and chat after each session. The group has since grown as we welcomed others.

We soon discovered that the gym sessions were more enjoyable, and easier with the support and motivation that friendship with the others gave. Most of us would have given up going to the gym a long time ago if we had to go it alone. We felt that we didn’t want to let the others down.

The wide range of equipment at Everyone Active enables us all to work at our own pace and abilities. With support from Tom (our instructor), who tailor made a program to suit everyone’s individual needs.  Whilst the gym gives us the cardiovascular health, we are also looking after our own mental health by being able to chat to each other about our shared experiences, and feel comfortable doing so.

Chatting and coffee are just as important as the gym, to us all… …

“A great group for discussing different stages of discovery and being able to talk in general.” (RB)

“Good to know you are not the only one on this journey, and a real confidence boost.” (AD)

“After a heart attack you have so many fears and questions about the future. Being in a group with people who have experienced the same gives you the confidence to speak about those fears, and learn that you are not alone.” (FH)

“We’ve all made a strong and positive friendship that motivates us to keep our commitment to stay positive, healthy and strong.” (WT)

The Commitments, continuing to help keep Everyone Active.

#2

I was referred to the programme after having a CABG double heart bypass in April 2021. My first sessions were with the NHS via the telephone and lasted about 12 weeks but I didn’t benefit massively due to fluid on my left lung and was unable to exercise properly at the time.

I was contacted by Tom Bodle (from the Physical Activity Service) who took all my details and looked at my case history. The first sessions were light intensity sessions in a fitness studio but were actually gradually getting my body to adapt to physical activity. I noticed some aches from the sternum area but was reassured that this was normal due to the operation and was muscular post activity rather than related to the heart.

The sessions later advanced to the gym and Tom worked out a training program of cardiovascular exercises and strength exercises with options each week to very gradually increase the level of exercise or weight that was lifted.

Tom constantly asks if you’re feeling ok and I feel safe in the knowledge that if I become unwell during a session that his first aid training would be absolutely perfect in dealing with any situation.

Quite simply the physio sessions with Tom have been life changing and my confidence and general health has improved significantly by being one of his participants. I want to thank him for helping me through a very anxious time in my life and would highly recommend anyone in recovery to make the effort and attend and actual physio session rather than a telephone session.

I have since made a friends with Toms other referrals and we have a commitment group where we encourage each other to turn up and support each other with our rehabilitation.

I hope this statement is useful to anyone thinking about their next step to recovery and I would highly recommend Tom Bodle to guide them