Triple bypass patient Dolly Hamill is on track to heart health after completing Mackay Base Hospital’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Exercise and Education Program.
The eight-week personalised program is led by the hospital’s heart and allied health teams providing support, exercise and education to patients recovering from a cardiac event such as heart attack or stent procedure.
Walkerston resident Dolly experienced arm pain in August while travelling home from Bundaberg but it was another pain extending across her chest a week later that made her present to the Base Hospital’s Emergency Department.
“I was brought straight into emergency where I had an electrocardiogram (ECG) which told us that I’d had a heart attack,” Dolly said.
“It was quite shocking because I never had any symptoms apart from those two pains.”
From the Emergency Department, 62-year-old Dolly was taken to the Cardiac Care Unit to be admitted for an angiogram and monitoring before being flown to Townsville for triple bypass heart surgery.
“Surgery in Townsville went well. They got me moving quite quickly and I was out five days later,” she said.
“I was introduced to the Cardiac Rehabilitation Exercise and Education Program by Jenny, the heart health nurse here, to help with my recovery.”
Mackay Base Hospital heart health nurse Jenny Gething said the program aims to help patients make long-term lifestyle changes improving wellbeing and confidence while reducing the risk of future cardiac events.
“Patients know they need to become more active and healthier after a cardiac event, but it can be daunting as sometimes they don’t know how far they can extend themselves,” Jenny said.
“That’s where the eight-week program helps with safe, personalised exercises thanks to a physiotherapist to suit health needs and individual ability.
“Returning to physical activity takes time so the physiotherapist introduces a range of low impact exercises like walking, cycling and weights.
“An extensive allied health team provides education to improve diet, understand medication and manage stress.”
The rehab program is also a safe and confidential space where patients can talk about how they’re feeling.
“It’s very normal to feel down or stressed about what you have been through, after all it’s a major life event,” she said.
“Simply talking to people who are experiencing a similar situation really helps with working through those emotions.
“We can also identify if someone develops anxiety or depression and get them the help they need.”
Dolly said the program has helped her in many ways to confidently get back to normal, everyday activities.
“Before joining the program, I would sit a home not sure what I could do,” she said.
“Now I know more about the medication I’m taking, am aware of portion control and enjoy doing more exercise.”
