"Invaluable advice and support"

My story starts after my heart attack before my angioplasty. I was supported from the very start by the Cardio Rehab team. Firstly when I was discharged from hospital I received easy reading literature, advice and information, and links to relevant organisations such as the British heart foundation and heart matters.

As a result of the information I had been given I started walking every day and eating healthier. Then started to have pain on exertion. I was contacted by telephone by the Cardio Rehab nurse and physiotherapist, who both gave me excellent advice. They advised me to take my spray when this occurred. Reassuring me that it would not do me any harm. I had been unsure of how bad I should be before I took it. This put my mind at rest. Due to my ongoing pain the rehab team contacted the Royal Jubilee hospital. As a result, my operation was brought forward ahead of those who illness was not as life threatening as mine.

After my operation I received a number of telephone calls providing me with reassurance. I was asked about any side effects of my medication. I was informed of the services the rehabilitation team could provide, and was encouraged to attend. This was extremely reassuring especially as I am living on my own and do not have the support network of family or friends nearby.

I attended the Cardio Rehab rehabilitation gym classes and was provided with excellent advice and support by both the physio’s and nurses. As a result, my medication was changed to suit me. I didn’t have to anything. The stress was taken off me as the Rehab team wrote to my doctor at very same day and my prescription was sent to the local pharmacy. This would not have happened had I not had this support.

I was also attended relaxation classes. This gave me and everybody else who attended the opportunity to realise that they were not alone. They could speak in a safe and comfortable environment about how they really felt, and disclose the symptoms they were experiencing. This was a very supportive and enlightening experience, learning breathing techniques and different types of meditation.

I am now going to attend classes on diet and medication and will continue to be supported throughout.

This has been an invaluable service where I have felt so very much supported.

I would like to thank everybody involved for their kindness, their support and encouragement. Without their knowledge, and caring I would have been constantly anxious and on edge. I would not have come to this level of recovery so quickly. My rehabilitation was such a positive experience following a very frightening experience.