Social distancing doesn’t mean you can’t get the cardiac rehab you need – Richard Forsyth

The British Heart Foundation has stepped into the breach as medics are redeployed to cope with Covid-19, writes Richard Forsyth

A range of cardiac rehab exercises that are easy to do at home are available on the My Personal Trainer guide which can be downloaded from the BHF website

Every day in Scotland more than 30 people have a heart attack. This doesn’t stop for a pandemic.

The road to recovery can take time and it is important that the right measures are in place for support. Research has shown that cardiac rehabilitation – or cardiac rehab as it’s known – can reduce the risk of further cardiac events, being readmitted to hospital and has a positive impact on wellbeing and quality of life.

Usually offered after an assessment following a cardiac event such as a heart attack, heart surgery or after diagnosis of some other heart conditions, traditional rehab provides information, support and advice and is also is designed to help patients understand and come to terms with what has happened.

Richard Forsyth, Health Services Engagement Lead, BHF Scotland

Most cardiac rehab is delivered face to face. However, given the unprecedented times that we’re now living in as we tackle the threat posed by Covid-19, this is not a viable option. Social distancing rules and the redeployment of cardiac rehabilitation teams to support the Covid response has meant services have had to be creative, resilient and innovative about how they can provide the right support to patients at this time.

Many people may now be discharged from hospital with no assessment, reduced or even no cardiac rehab input and limited advice about what they should be doing when they get home. NHS cardiac clinical leads quickly expressed major concerns to us that patients being discharged without access to this life-changing support programme could be readmitted with health concerns.

Ensuring that people with heart and circulatory conditions continued to receive the support that they need is our primary focus and so immediately, it became apparent to us that we needed to join forces with NHS boards – and fast – to devise and deliver adaptable programmes to aid patients’ recovery.

We contacted our partners in the clinical community and within three days set up and delivered a webinar to discuss and share information on how we could continue to support our patients. Such was the overwhelming interest from the medical profession in Scotland and across the UK that more than 150 clinicians subscribed to take part.

A week later, the first stage of our Cardiac Rehab at Home programme was launched on our website – a true testament to the amazing efforts of the clinical community and our teams within the BHF to react, collaborate and step up at such a critical time in all our lives and provide an urgent response to an urgent situation.

Our initial offering has involved us making our popular cardiac rehab DVD – My Personal Trainer – available online, accompanied by a step-by-step guide. The video, which is free to download, features low level to moderate intensity exercises similar to those undertaken in a cardiac rehab class, but that are easy to do in the home. They come in five stages tailored to different patient needs and are designed for those who have already had an assessment. The programme also aims to replicate the four pillars of the cardiac rehab experience by supplying the exercises, emotional support, healthy eating information and additional information all via one hub on our website. Of course, for some, cardiac rehab can be a way of connecting with others going through similar experiences, a connection which is at risk of being lost during these times of isolation. And so alongside our online offerings, patients can be signposted to BHF peer-to-peer support groups, helping people reach out during these times, and to our Heart Helpline.

Early indications have shown an extremely positive response from both the patient and clinical community to our adapted cardiac rehab programme.

Alongside this, we have taken further steps to help patients and their families in these challenging times. In response to receiving more than double the usual number of calls and emails to our specialist nurses on our Heart Helpline, we’ve expanded our service. We’re making it easier for people to have access to the support they need – whether practical, or emotional – by extending our opening hours.

What’s more, we understand people want access to accurate and relevant resources for their individual circumstances. Whether they need answers about being classified as at increased risk from coronavirus, seek tips for keeping active, or want to access our online cardiac rehabilitation resources, we’ve done our very best to cover all bases on our BHF website.

As the Covid-19 outbreak continues, we will carry on supporting those who need and rely on our support. More cardiac rehab resources will be rolled out over the coming weeks and months and we will be updating the programme regularly online with new content on healthy eating and activity. We will continue to listen to our community and provide resources on topics and issues that reflect what people need now and in the future.

You can find more details on our Cardiac Rehab at Home programme at our website – www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/support/cardiac-rehabilitation-at-home

For the latest information and support for people living with heart and circulatory diseases at this time, visit www.bhf.org.uk/coronavirus

Richard Forsyth, Health Services Engagement Lead, BHF Scotland