Heart Patients Get Pioneering Fitness Sessions

More Bradford heart patients are being offered special exercise classes to improve their health.

The rehabilitation sessions have been available for several years to patients with coronary heart disease, such as those recovering from surgery.

Now. Bradford Royal Infirmary is believed to be among the first hospitals in the country to run exercise classes for patients with heart failure, where the heart has been permanently damaged. It normally affects older people aged 75, leaving them breathless and tired.

Until recently the medical profession beleived patients with heart failure should avoid exercise to prevent putting a strin on the heart. But now evidence shows carefully planned activity can improve a patient's quality of life, helping them achieve simple tasks such as walking up the stairs. The exercise sessions have been organised jointly by Bradford Teaching Hospitals and Bradford City, Bradford South & West and North Bradford Primary Care Trusts.

Consultant cardiologist Dr Chris Morley said: "Bradford is again helping to lead the way in its care of heart patients. People with heart failure often feel very tired and breathless. They might want to exercise but they're frightened.

"Now, latest evidence shows that carefully controlled exercise can be good for people with heart failure. Beginning these sessions at the BRI should improve their lives and make them feel better."

Patients attend the classes twice a week for six weeks doing activities ranging from arm exercises to using a treadmill. Debbie Gibbon, a heart failure nurse specialist, said: "We are among the first in the country to run this type of class. Most of the people taking part are over 75 and we give them their own tailored exercise programme. This might include practicing sitting and standing or walking on a treadmill. By the end of the sessions, simple physical tasks should be a lot easier."