Inpatient, community patients and carers:

The service provides education to inpatients, community patients and carers of people diagnosed with heart disease. The education and information provided is designed to support and assist individuals to recognise and modify risk factors for heart disease and to make lifestyle changes as required.

Outpatient rehabilitation:

The outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program is designed to provide all clients with coronary heart disease and their families with the ability to return to an active and satisfying life, whilst preventing the reoccurrence of further cardiac events.

The program involves education sessions conducted over twelve weeks by a team of experienced health care professionals including:

• Occupational therapist
• Cardiologist
• Cardiac nurse
• Physiotherapist
• Dietitian
• Pharmacist
• Social worker
• Psychologist
• Royal Ambulance Victoria
• Heartbeat (support group)

The sessions include supervised exercise, relaxation, education and support. The National Heart Foundation recommends that all patients with angina or following a heart attack or cardiac surgery, should attend an outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program. Whilst the outpatient program is provided twice weekly, the service also provides alternative individualised patient education and support outside of the program if necessary.

Service access/entry criteria:

The program is designed for people of all ages who have had a recent cardiac event or those with significant risk factors.

Service coverage:

The program is available to people in the Loddon Mallee Region.

Referrals:

Referral can be from a medical practitioner or other health care professional, or people may contact the Cardiac Rehabilitation Co-ordinator themselves.

Fees:

There is no client fee for this service however a cost may apply to prosthetic supply and management.

Waiting list:

There is a limited waiting list for this service.

Links:

• National Heart Foundation