Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme

Cardiac Rehabilitation, as defined by WHO in 1964, is ‘the sum of activities required to ensure cardiac patients the best possible physical, mental and social conditions so that they may, by their own efforts, resume and maintain as normal a place as possible in the community.’ A cardiac rehabilitation programme aims to do just that, to guide and support our cardiac patients along their road to recovery so that they may add more years to their life and life to years.

What Is This Programme About?
As risk factor and lifestyle modifications are important to successful cardiac rehabilitation, this programme offers medically supervised exercise programme, education and lifestyle modification aimed at providing patients with the information, motivation and support they need to adopt and maintain heart-healthy habits. The ultimate goals of the programme are to limit the physiological effects of cardiac illness and to improve overall cardiovascular fitness and health.

Cardiac Rehabilitation programme is a comprehensive programme, which consists of 3 components.

• Education
  We provide information on the disease condition, treatment modalities, and importance of risk factor modification and home advice. We conduct individual teaching as well as group teaching.
  
  
• Counselling
  We provide constant support and advice to patients and their spouses or family members. Most patients and their family are struck with many uncertainties – e.g. fear of having another heart event, coping with lifestyles changes, worrying about hospital expenses or future follow-up cost. Knowing that there is a team that will be present to guide them through their road to recovery has proven to be beneficial and effective.
  
  
• Prescribed exercise training
  Each patient will be exercised on intensity based on his or her individualised calculated target heart rate in a progressive manner. Patients are also taught how to exercise safely. Maintaining a lifelong exercise routine is constantly being reinforced.
  

Phases Of Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme

Who Are The Members Of The Cardiac Rehabilitation Team?
They are a team of professionals from different disciplines, including cardiologist, physiotherapist, cardiac rehab nurses, pharmacist, dietitian, occupational therapist and social worker.

Who Will Benefit From This Programme?
You will benefit from this programme if you have had one of the following :

• A heart attack
• Percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PTCA)
• Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)surgery
• Open heart surgery
• Treatment for other heart conditions
  

How Do I Get Started On This Programme?
A referral from your physician is required to participate in the programme. You will need to consult your cardiologist before starting this programme.

For more information, please contact the cardiac rehabilitation nurses :

Lai Shuet Ming - 9540 2582 (Pager)
Rachel Chan Wan Hia - 9566 9078 (Pager)
Ooi Lean See - 9802 8205 (Pager)

Cardiac Rehabilitation Support Group
After phase 3, all cardiac rehabilitation participants should continue to join the lifelong maintenance exercise programme at the community-based cardiac centres or cardiac support groups.

Phase 4 : Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme in Singapore

• Singapore Heart Foundation (SHF)
  The SHF Cardiac Rehabilitation Centre is the only institution in Singapore which runs a structured community-based cardiac rehabilitation programme. The Centre offers a wide range of facilities, equipment and multidisciplinary healthcare expertise to assist patients with heart problems, providing them with support for life-long maintenance of their exercise habits and risk factor modification. For more information, please visit the website at: www.myheart.org.sg
  
• Cardiac Rehabilitation Support Group: Local Exercise Groups (LEG)
  Members meet at central, east and west zones every Sunday morning for group exercise. The group also organises regular meetings, social outings and caregiver CPR training.
  
  Central -Bishan Park
  Contact: Richard Cho
  Tel : (65) 6481 4051
  
  East - Hougang Sports Stadium
  Contact: Helen Cho
  Tel : (65) 6287 1578
  
  West - Bukit Gombak Sports Stadium
  Contact: Ronnie Cheng
  Tel: (65) 9620 4128
  
  
• Singapore Coronary Club
  Possibly the first cardiac rehab support group set up since 1980, this group meets regularly on Saturdays for group exercise in a gym setting and social gathering.
  
  Contact: Fred Sabapathy
  Tel: (65) 6288 4429
  

CardioPulmonary Resuscitation Programmes in Singapore
CPR courses for the general public are available at the following institutions:

Alexandra Hospital, Tel: (65) 6472 2000
Changi General Hospital, Tel: (65) 6850 1550
National Heart Centre, Tel: (65) 6436 7800
Singapore General Hospital, Tel: (65) 6326 6883 / 6884
Singapore Medical Association, Tel: (65) 6223 1264
Singapore Red Cross Society, Tel: (65) 6336 0269

Download a copy of :

• Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme