Angina is a chest pain or discomfort that occurs when the heart is not getting enough blood.
Heart attacks occur when an artery is severely or completely blocked and the heart does not get the blood it requires for more than 20 minutes.
Heart failure refers to the heart not being able to pump the blood through the body as normal which means that the other organs that normally requires blood from the heart receives very little or none at all, but the heart does not stop. Signs of heart failure are that you may experience shortness of breath, swelling in feet, ankles and legs etc and extreme tiredness.
Heart arrhythmias are changes in the heartbeat. The majority of people feel dizzy, faint, out of breath or had chest pains at one point. These changes in heartbeat are harmless for most people.
Cardiovascular risk factors
There are many risk factors associated with coronary heart disease and stroke. The major risk factors, tobacco and alcohol use, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, physical inactivity, unhealthy diets are common across the world.
You will not develop cardiovascular disease if you only have a risk factor, but the more risks you have the more likely you are to increase the risks compromising your heart health.
Physical inactivity increases the risk of heart disease and stroke by 50%. Regularly participating in regular physical activity can reduce your risk of heart disease by nearly a quarter, combining physical activity and other lifestyle changes like maintaining a healthy weight. Physical activity helps to reduce the chances of developing conditions that may have a strain on your heart like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes as well as reducing stress levels.
Federal guidelines recommend that you get at least 30 to 60 minutes of moderately intense physical activity most days of the week. Day to day activities like gardening, housekeeping, taking the stairs and walking the dog all counts towards the total amount of exercise done a day. You don’t have to exercise strenuously to achieve benefits, but you can see bigger benefits by increasing the intensity, duration and frequency of your workouts.
Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for developing coronary artery disease, heart disease and stroke and is linked with cardiovascular mortality.
By doing this the risk factors that are reduced is high blood pressure to prevent high blood pressure regular aerobic activity is essential. Smokers who become physically active are more likely to cut down or stop smoking.
What happens on a cardiac rehabilitation programme?
Rehabilitation programmes vary throughout the country, but most programmes cover 3 areas:
· Exercise
· Relaxation
· Information on lifestyles and treatments
Exercise
Before you start the rehabilitation programme you will have an initial assessment to find out how much exercise you can safely do. A physiotherapist or an exercise physiologist can then carefully work out a programme of exercises for you, tailoring the programme to your individual needs.
At the beginning of each session you will do warm-up exercises which involve stretching your muscles. All the exercises will be carefully explained to you. The exercises will be 'aerobic' (exercises that help to improve your heart and circulation). You will be encouraged to increase your exercise gradually over the weeks of the rehabilitation programme. It is very important that you work within your limits and follow the advice given to you. At the end of each exercise session you will do 'cool-down' exercises to stretch out your muscles and prevent them from aching the next day.
It is normal to feel anxious about exercise after a heart attack. However, attending rehabilitation classes can help give you the confidence to become active again.
Relaxation
You will be able to practice different relaxation techniques and find one that suits you. You will also find out how important relaxation is for people who have had a heart problem.
If possible, encourage your partner or a family member or friend to go along with you. This will help lessen their fears as well and give them the chance to ask any questions.
Information on lifestyles and treatment
This may involve structured but informal sessions within your group. You may cover one or more topics in each session and will have the opportunity to ask any questions. Topics include:
· How the heart works, what can go wrong, and why and how people develop coronary heart disease.
· How to identify your own risk factors relating to coronary heart disease.
· Diet and healthy eating. You may also have the opportunity to discuss your own diet with a dietician.
· How to recognize your own stress and how to manage it.
· If you are a smoker you will be encouraged to give up and will be offered advice on how to go about it.
· Medication. You may be able to discuss your medications with a doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
· Practical issues such as driving and holidays.
· Going back to work. People who have had an uncomplicated heart attack will usually be able to return to work. You can talk to a member of the cardiac rehabilitation team about the type of work you do. They will help to assess how easily you might take up your job again and when you should return to work.
Attending cardiac rehabilitation classes gives you the opportunity to ask questions and talk about any worries you may still have.
