Cardiac Services

Cardiac Services offer cardiac rehabilitation to people who have had a heart attack, cardiac surgery or heart failure in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

What do cardiac services provide?

Cardiac services are provided by four specialist teams based across the county who provide cardiac care and support. Teams are made up of cardiac nurses, physiotherapists, support workers and an exercise specialist. The service is available to patients who have had:

• a heart attack (post myocardial infarction)
• a recent Myocardial infarction (heart attack), Coronary Artery Bypass surgery(CABG), Heart failure, Insertion of an internal cardiac defibrillator, Coronary Angioplasty(stent) within 3 months
• heart failure.

Through their rehabilitation programme, cardiac services give patients, families and carers help and support in order to recover and maintain a healthy heart. This includes lifestyle and exercise advice and guidance on how to minimise risk and long-term management of the condition. A nursing and physiotherapy assessment includes a medication review. The team are also able to support end of life care.

Cardiac services deliver rehabilitation in a patient’s home or in a community clinic or as part of a group programme. There is a wealth of evidence to show that cardiac rehabilitation allows people with a heart condition to remain active longer and manage their condition more effectively.
Cardiac services support patients with proven heart failure or a complex cardiac condition in order to help stabilise the condition, reduce the need for admission to hospital and improve quality of life. Cardiac services work closely with colleagues in acute hospitals, consultant cardiologists and GPs.