Staff and students at Oxstalls Campus in Gloucester are hosting regular cardiac rehabilitation sessions for patients with a range of heart conditions.
Patients are referred following attendance at a local NHS Cardiac Rehabilitation programme. Those accepted onto the course include people who have had a heart attack (myocardial infarction), angina or acute coronary syndromes, angioplasty/stenting, a coronary artery bypass graft, valve replacement or heart failure.
They attend at least once a week for a closely supervised programme which includes circuits and gym work, and are given advice and support on how to make lifelong changes for the better.
“By maintaining a regular exercise programme, people can help reduce their risk of having a further cardiac event. There’s also a great psychological benefit from attending a regular exercise group and many of the clients have become good friends both in and out of the class environment,” said Eve Scarle, physiotherapist and lecturer in Exercise and Health Science.
“Patients are encouraged to adopt a sustainable change in physical activity as part of their lifestyle and their partners are also encouraged to take part to assist in longer term adherence to exercise.”
The faculty’s expertise in this area has been developed through running a training course for exercise professionals which is recognised by the British Heart Foundation, and run in conjunction with the British Association for Cardiac Rehabilitation (BACR).
Students are encouraged to get involved, work with individuals to help gain experience and their perspective, and understand how best to address their needs. Second and third year Sport and Exercise Science students gain valuable work experience, as well as helping the instructor lead the sessions.
Eve added: “This is a great partnership between the university, Gloucestershire NHS Foundation Trust and the local community. Students gain a great deal from being involved in ‘real life’ work experience and clients get the opportunity to maintain regular exercise in a supportive environment.”