A patient from Blaby has hailed a community cardiac rehabilitation course as ‘potentially life-changing’ for patients who are recovering from a heart attack, or heart surgery.
Dean Allen, 71, was operated on at the Glenfield Hospital in April 2025, after experiencing a form of acute coronary syndrome. Following an initial recovery phase and assessment, he was referred to an eight-week group exercise programme by UHL’s cardiac rehab team, to help build back his fitness under clinical supervision.
Dean said: “It wasn’t just a case of the doctors fixing my heart and then saying goodbye. With the support of the cardiac rehab team, I knew I wasn’t alone in this.”
Each session begins with a gentle warm-up, before participants work their way around a circuit of different activities at their own pace, and with support. Sessions close with a group discussion, or presentation from a clinician, allowing attendees to share their experiences and talk about their ongoing recovery journeys.
“As well as the exercise itself, I found it helpful being around other people in the same boat and talking to them, learning what their problems and experiences are”, said Dean.
“That sense of community and mutual encouragement is very important.”
Having successfully completed the programme, Dean now plans to continue to exercise safely, both at home and in the community.
“I’m being as active as I can be, within my target heart rate, and I know that if I have any questions or doubts, I have a ‘hotline’ to the cardiac rehab team. I feel ready now to face the future.”
In the East Midlands, only 13% of patients with newly-diagnosed heart failure take up cardiac rehabilitation. However, if a patient follows their clinician’s referral and attends the first session, they are far more likely to complete cardiac rehabilitation.
Dean offered special praise to Cardiac Rehabilitation Nurse Specialist, Lorraine Voisey and Exercise Physiologist, Claude Chan, adding: “They were instrumental in steering me through the eight weeks, and it’s been so rewarding.
“It’s important that patients are aware of this programme, because I believe it can have a life-changing impact for people who find themselves in my situation. No matter what your level of physical fitness, the team will help to find the right level of activity for you, and put you on the right road.”
The exercise programme is also run by UHL at venues including the Glenfield Hospital, the Leicester General Hospital, Whitwick and Coalville Leisure Centre, the National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine at Loughborough University, and Bridge4 Studio in Birstall.
Nurse Specialist, Lorraine Voisey, said: “Cardiac rehabilitation is a full programme of exercise, education and psychological support offered to patients on discharge from hospital. It’s an established, vital part of the recovery process, held in various settings including hospitals and community venues, plus we offer a web-based programme.
“I am very proud to play a small role within our cardiac rehabilitation service, helping to support people return to a full of life as possible following their heart event.”