Chris Dodds was walking up a steep hill on holiday when he noticed he was getting more out of breath than usual.
The 63-year-old from Hartlepool went to see his GP and ended up having heart valve repair surgery at The James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.
But his treatment did not end there. Chris, who runs his own landscape business, was offered an eight-week cardiac rehab programme at the town’s new Highlight Active Wellbeing Hub to help him get back into shape.
“I don’t know what I would have done without it,” said Chris, who can now do more of the heavy duty tasks at work again and has just joined the gym to keep his new twice weekly exercise regime on track.
“You start feeling week on week you’re getting fitter and fitter. You have people there so you have a safety net round you and you can go as hard or as slow as you want.”
Chris said it’s not just the support and lifestyle advice from the specialist University Hospitals Tees staff that has motivated him, other members of the group have also helped push him on, such as Mike Ritchie, who is determined to get back running after having stents fitted.
Getting back to normal
Mike, also of Hartlepool, said he is aiming to complete his first post-op 5k run by Christmas and the rehab classes are helping him build up his fitness in a safe environment.
“I don’t know anyone that comes that does not enjoy it and we have a good bit of banter!” he said.
Hartlepool grandad Rob Snowdon, 67, is now well on his way recovery after having a triple heart bypass. He says the rehab sessions make him do regular exercise and also provide educational talks on healthy eating, mental health and mindfulness.
“I’m able to lead a normal life,” he said. “I’m back on my allotment doing simple tasks that I could not do four or five months ago, and I’m enjoying time with my grandkids again without being tired.”
National recognition
The cardiac rehab team at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust recently received national recognition when they were awarded a top quality mark for their high quality services.
The team achieved green certification – the highest award available – from the British Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation (BACPR) for the second year running.
Janine O’Rourke, cardiac rehabilitation specialist nurse lead, who was named president Elect for the BACPR last week, said she is glad the service is getting the recognition it deserves:
“It’s a huge achievement as there are only two trusts in our region who currently have had the green certification two years consecutively.
“It was a full team project, driven by Tracey Sharp who retired this summer. It’s been a massive piece of work that involved inputting a lot of data.”
Rehab sessions are held in community venues across the Tees Valley twice a week offering a mix of cardio and strength exercises tailored to each individual as well as education on basic life support and improving health and wellbeing. A research team is also embedded in the service.
Doris Dixon, 79, of Hartlepool attends the sessions after suffering a heart attack. She said it’s a great place to meet people who have similar health issues and share experiences.
“When it happens, you think you are the only one,” she added.
Dean Barratt, 62, of Hartlepool, said an artery in his heart had almost blocked fully before he had his stent fitted.
Even though he is no stranger to the gym after 47 years of training he says he would 100% recommend the sessions to others: “It’s good for the mind, body and soul. They have just given me a lot more positivity about my recovery.”