Who, What, Why?
We are the Pumping Marvellous Foundation, the UK’s heart failure patient-led charity. Find out more about why we do what we do.
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Cardiac Rehabilitation
CARDIAC REHABILITATION
There is evidence that people with heart failure gain significant improvement as a result of attending heart failure cardiac rehabilitation. These are usually formal exercise classes but can also be online and are designed for patients with heart failure. Our patients tell us how beneficial cardiac rehabilitation has been to them. If you have not been referred to cardiac rehabilitation, please ask your heart failure team.
HELPING YOU UNDERSTAND
Heart failure cardiac rehabilitation will help you to understand your condition and how to live well with the condition. The programmes are designed to help your heart to function better, and also all the other muscles in your body. Patients also say that it makes them feel more positive and confident to exercise. They are able to share their experiences with other patients with heart failure, through face to face classes or the pumping marvellous online support group.
ACCESS AND WHERE
Many centres offer a variety of services. Some are based in the hospital, but others are out in the community. Talk to the cardiac rehabilitation team, if you do not wish to attend a formal class. They may be able to provide an activity programme that you can do at home, or give you general advice on how to manage your activity levels.
The Pumping Marvellous Foundation has been working with NHS Cardiac Rehabilitation exercise physiologists to develop our own free eight week online exercise programme, if you wish to start one of our two programmes please see more details below on how to do this.
IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT EXERCISE
It will help you identify the best way to self manage your condition through good food and leading a healthy lifestyle.
If you would like to start a heart failure rehabilitation programme, ask your heart failure team if they have classes available in you area.
If face to face exercise programs aren’t available then discuss what on-line options would work best for you.
IT’S NOT JUST WHAT IT IS AND HOW TO DO IT, BUT IT’S THE ‘WHY’ IT’S IMPORTANT
Sometimes people tell you what it is and how you should do it. We think differently at the Pumping Marvellous Foundation. We believe in working with you and getting to the crux of some of the challenges of living with heart failure better. Cardiac rehabilitation can be the start of a new chapter. There is plenty of evidence out there that demonstrates how good it is for people living with heart failure. See it as another treatment that this time you can enjoy.
The take up of heart failure cardiac rehabilitation and also the offering of cardiac rehabilitation is poor. The rates of how many heart failure patients get it is low and this is why you should press your heart failure team to recommend a programme for you. There are many fine examples of patients like you undertaking a cardiac rehabilitation programme which has made their lives better. Not only a healthier lifestyle in tune with their condition but also more energy and a better capacity to exercise. That’s completing some of the normal tasks that were such a challenge before, like climbing the stairs, walking the dog or walking to the shops.
START YOUR ONLINE PUMPING MARVELLOUS CARDIAC REHABILITATION PROGRAMME TODAY!
The production of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Platform, including a digital platform and accompanying booklet, has been funded by a hands-off educational grant by Pharmacosmos UK
If you are looking to improve your symptoms and live your life well with Heart Failure, or get back to some form of everyday life after being diagnosed with Heart Failure or following a cardiac event such as a heart attack, then cardiac rehabilitation (cardiac rehab) may help you achieve this goal.
GETTING STARTED
Before embarking on the program, you should discuss your suitability and program type with your healthcare team. Together, you can set goals and address any risk factors. If available in your area you can attend classes in person or online, or even a combination of both.
Regardless of the program you choose, whether it’s a face-to-face session or through the Pumping Marvellous Platform, your program will include exercise, education, peer support, and emotional well-being. Your team is there to provide the support you need and will collaborate with you to create the most effective plan.
Before using this platform, you’ll need to confirm that you have permission from a healthcare professional to exercise. This validation process is a necessary step to ensure your safety and well-being. If you have not been directed by your healthcare team to this resource, contact your Heart Failure team or GP surgery and get confirmation that they are happy for you to start the program.
The platform will give you access to the following:
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A choice of 2 exercise programmes by a qualified cardiac rehab practitioner. The programmes include three sections: warm-up, main exercise, and cool-down.
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Patient educational material from the Pumping Marvellous Library of resources used by patients across the NHS in the UK.
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Access to emotional support through the Pumping Marvellous peer to peer online communities.
WHICH COURSE IS RIGHT FOR ME?
When deciding which course is right for you, it is worth considering how active you are on a daily basis.
LOW-FUNCTION COURSE
If climbing the stairs is a struggle or if you need to stop while taking a gentle walk, then the low-function course would be the most appropriate for you. Click here to register
MEDIUM-FUNCTION COURSE
If climbing the stairs or carrying out general household duties such as shopping or hoovering is manageable, but causes you some difficulties at times, then the medium-function course best suits your fitness level. Click here to register
KEEPING TRACK OF YOUR PROGRESS
We have created an accompanying guide to help you keep track of your progress.
It is full of useful resources and a weekly topic overview, if you haven’t been given a paper copy by a healthcare professional you can download a copy below:
READ MORE
Secret sauce
Dictionary – “A special quality or feature regarded as the chief factor in the success of something or someone.”
So, what’s your “Secret Sauce?” What makes you tick?
At Pumping Marvellous, we know it takes some real inner drive to live well with heart failure. Pumping Marvellous are Secret Sauce catalysts; we draw out people’s inner Secret Sauce, people’s superpowers and enable other people to learn from other people’s experiences.
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The Pumping Marvellous Foundation are a UK patient led heart failure charity. To find out how you can get involved click below.
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