Life changing programme for patients
Date of release: 3 May 2024
A specialist cardiac rehabilitation programme has proved life changing for two grateful Wolverhampton patients who want to sing its praises.
Cardiac Rehab and Heart Failure team, from left to right: Sophie May, Ian Swift, Alison Fenlon, Rita Mehmi, Sophie Felton
Alison Fenlon and Simon Northcott have both been supported by the Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme, run by The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, and have praised the service for the incredible care they have received.
Alison, 63 from Wednesfield, found out she had Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) following a routine Electrocardiogram (ECG).
The ECG showed she had a heart rate of 190 beats per minute (bpm), when a normal resting heart rate is between 60 to 100bpm.
She said: “I was referred to New Cross Hospital and had an MRI which showed I had a heart attack which was a massive shock. It also showed that six out of 17 parts of my heart are dead.
“I have been put on medication to help and I may need a stent or pacemaker.”
The retired mother of two said her heart condition had a huge impact on her everyday life.
She added: “My heart condition has had a profound effect on my quality of life – a busy day wipes me out and I have to stay in bed sometimes.
“It has also affected my mental health and I get quite down when I can't manage things. On a recent holiday to Italy, I couldn't do as much sightseeing as she'd have liked.”
Alison said the Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme has helped her while she waits for more treatment.
She said: “My treatment has been fabulous - I can't fault it.
“These sessions have been like a comfort blanket for me and I will be sad when they are finished. Everyone has been wonderful all the way along from when they first realised there was an issue with my heart. I can't speak highly enough of them.”
Simon, from Bridgnorth, is equally full of praise for the service. He started having cardiac issues in 2012 and was diagnosed with Persistent Atrial Fibrillation and Dilated Cardiomyopathy with Severe Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction.
The 52-year-old, who works in children’s mental health services, said: “I was struggling to breathe at night and was referred for a scan which showed the left side of my heart was inflamed.
“I had another scan at New Cross which showed that only six per cent of my heart was working which was very frightening. I had to spend 14 days in hospital and had to have a series of cardiac ablations which is a treatment to stop irregular heartbeats.”
Simon started the Cardiac Rehabilitation course in February 2023 and said it was ‘tremendous’.
He said: “The whole team were so supportive and friendly; it was life changing.
“They really gave you confidence and made me feel like I was getting my life back.
“I can only thank them for the amazing care they have given me. Slowly but surely, I am now seeing improvements and my heart is operating at about 55 per cent. I am so grateful to the team. Thank you.”
Chris Scordis, Clinical Exercise Physiologist – Joint Lead for Cardiac Rehabilitation at RWT, said: “Transforming lives one patient at a time - my teams’ dedication shines through in the feedback we receive. I congratulate them all.”
ENDS
- For further information, please email amy.downward@nhs.net
