Over 150 cardiac patients gathered to mark the 11th anniversary of Cardiac Rehabilitation programme in the Bon Secours Hospital Cork.
The annual “Healthy Hearts Reunion” celebrates the successful treatment given to cardiac patients who have completed a six week tailor-made exercise and education programme.
The cardiac programme, which monitors physical exercise and training, provides dietary advice as well as guidance on lifestyle changes to aid recovery from cardiac events.
Approximately 10,000 people die each year from cardiovascular disease (CVD) which includes coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke and other circulatory diseases, according to the Irish Heart Foundation, with CVD the most common cause of death in Ireland.
On the night several people from the outpatient programme shared their experiences of recovering from cardiac events and the important rehabilitative role played by the hospital in supporting them. Guest speaker at the event was consultant cardiologist Dr Cróchán O'Sullivan
Also in attendance were Consultant Cardiologists, Dr Conor O’ Shea, Dr Keith Morrice, Dr Heiko Kindler, and consultant cardiothoracic surgeons Mr Tom Aherne and Ms Tara Ni Dhonnchu.
Dr Conor O’Shea clinical director of the rehabilitation service at the Bon Secours Cork, said: “Progressive initiatives like the six-week cardiac outpatient programme restore the patient’s quality of life, and offer valuable counselling and education support sessions that are guided by doctors, nurses, dietician, occupational therapist, pharmacists and physiotherapists who assist them on the road to recovering from a cardiac event.”
Dr Cróchán O'Sullivan spoke about how developments in interventional cardiology and advances in technology and research are greatly changing cardiac treatments.
