27 November 2009
Exercising the right to celebrate heart programme's 10th anniversary
Photo opportunity: 7.15pm, Monday, November 30th. Past and present members of the Phase IV Cardiac Rehab programme will celebrate with staff at the Institute of Sports and Exercise, University of Dundee, Old Hawkhill.
The University of Dundee’s Institute of Sports and Exercise (ise) will next week celebrate 10 years of helping to improve the health of local heart disease-sufferers. The Phase IV Cardiac Rehab class is part of the ise’s Specialist Populations exercise programme, which also works with diabetes sufferers.
Heart disease is one of Scotland’s biggest killers with around 500,000 people suffering from some form of heart disease.
Since its inception in 1999, the class has been attended by more than 450 people from Dundee and the surrounding area as part of their recovery from a range of conditions and treatments including heart attacks, bypass surgery, angina, heart transplants and valve replacements.
Dozens of current and former class members will meet with staff and health professionals on Monday, November 30th, to celebrate the success of the programme.
Refreshments will be provided as part of the social evening, which takes place at the ise, Old Hawkhill from 6.30pm. Guests will be welcomed by Hazel Ednie, Specialist Populations programme co-ordinator, who said it had been a pleasure to work with those who had attended the classes.
'It’s been great to be involved with the programme and been able to work with some really fantastic and determined people,' she said. 'Some have come to us as part of their cardiac recovery and have been quite inactive and immobile previously'.
'In time, we have seen their fitness improve, and with it their quality of life. Not only does their cardiac health improve, but their risk of them suffering another cardiac illness decreases.'
'Prior to the establishment of this class, the nearest place with a Phase IV rehab programme was Glasgow.'
Phase I of cardiac rehab refers to the stage when patients are hospitalised and given treatment. Phase II is when the patient is discharged from hospital but will be under the guidance of their GP and be given support from a cardiac nurse, while Phase III of cardiac rehab is when patients receive education and exercise under the supervision of a cardiac physiotherapist.
Phase IV of cardiac rehabilitation is community-based exercise to support and maintain a patient's heart health following their care from the primary healthcare team through phases I-III.
Currently, there are 159 undertaking the programme, which is open to anyone referred by the cardiac rehabilitation team at Ninewells Hospital. The exercise classes are of a low to moderate intensity, and are fun and effective. They take place several times each week.
Guests at Monday’s celebration will also hear from Professor Stuart Pringle, consultant cardiologist at Ninewells, who will discuss the development of cardiac rehab and cardiology services in Tayside.
Jennifer McArtney, a Phase III physio will talk about the pathway to phase IV while ise director Brian Ewing will discuss how the programme has enabled the Institute to form closer ties with the local community. In addition, three participants who have been attending classes since they were first introduced 10 years ago will discuss their exercise experiences.
Leading a physically active lifestyle is of vital importance for the management of these conditions. Regular physical activity can improve heart and diabetic health by:
- reducing risk factors
- controlling weight
- helping to control blood sugar levels
- improving blood pressure and cholesterol levels
- improving mobility; and
- improving mood and relieving symptoms of depression.
The ise’s specialised exercise programme includes weekly exercise classes, monthly education workshops and activity taster sessions. It is delivered by people with expertise in exercise for people with medical conditions.
Anyone who wishes to attend Monday’s event, or who would like to find out more about the
Specialist Populations programme at the ise should contact Hazel Ednie on 01382 385177 or by
emailing h.c.ednie@dundee.ac.uk.
For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277 |
