Heart patients who do not take part in cardiac rehabilitation following a heart problem are 25% more likely to die in the folowing two to five years.
This project aimed to deliver a programme of cardiac rehabilitation to patients with heart disease living in rural areas, who cannot attend hospital-based programmes. The service aimed to provide patients with the opportunity to become experts in their own health, taking back control of their lives and ultimately living longer with a better quality of life.
The aims of the project were:
- to decrease the risk factors associated with heart disease
- to reduce anxiety and depression levels
- to reduce inappropriate hospital re-admission rates within 30 days.
Outcomes
Blood pressure, lipids, exercise levels, smoking status improved well above the national average.
Anxiety and depression levels improved well above the national average.
No inappropriate hospital re-admissions 30 days post cardiac event and 30 days from the date of last Heart Manual intervention.
Resource
The Heart Manual: a six week programme offered to patients unable or unwilling to attend the hospital-based programme.
Rural Hearts poster
Case Study
‘Molly’ is a 74 year old lady who lives alone following the death of her husband from cancer 18 months ago. Molly had been admitted to A&E with a heart attack. Following an assessment, she decided to stop smoking and reduce her cholesterol. Molly chose to use the Heart Manual rather than attend the hospital-based CR programme. She was supported by the CR nurse over the next six weeks.
Use of the HM relaxation CD helped her enormously. Her ultimate wish was to take her two young granddaughters to the park and push them on the swings. The “heart attack” had frightened her. She successfully started the HM exercise regime and decided to go “cold turkey” to give up smoking. Following completion of the programme Molly remains a non-smoker, her lipids have now been rechecked and are at target.
She has made improvements to her diet and exercise regime which have helped improve her mood and anxiety levels. She has finally achieved her goal of pushing her grandchildren on the swings again. The self-management programme proved very successful in ensuring that all Molly’s needs were met. Molly and her daughter loved the fact that they were in constant contact with the CR nurse who also answered all their medical questions. The role of the CR nurse cannot be underestimated.
Back to Resources 