West Suffolk Community Cardiac Rehabilitation Team - Home Exercise Programmes
Pre Exercise - Please ensure you have read the Exercise Checklist below - if you are having any symptoms then please do not exercise on this occasion and contact your Cardiac Rehabilitation Nurse for advice on the contact number you have been provided.
BEFORE starting your exercise: Have your GTN Spray (if prescribed) and a bottle of Water to hand.
Do Not Exercise if:
• You have not eaten or if you have eaten a large meal prior to the session
• Have taken any excessive alcohol or recreational drugs in the past 24 hours
• If you are taking Antibiotics
Please ensure that you have informed your Cardiac Rehabilitation Nurse if you have any of the following:
• Chest Pain (New or Worsening)
• Palpitations
• Increase in Shortness of Breath
• Dizziness
• Swelling of Ankles
• High or Low Blood Sugar Levels
• Sudden Increase in Weight
or if you are generally feeling unwell:
• Reduced Energy
• Fever
• Sore Throat
• Cough
Please contact your Cardiac Rehabilitation Nurse to discuss any of the following:
• Any changes in Medications or if you have Not taken your Prescribed Medication
• Any New or Worsening Joint Problems (e.g. Back or Knee Pain)
• Any New Test Results (e.g. Blood Tests / Blood Pressure / Cholesterol / ECHO / Other)
DURING your exercise if you have any of the following - Please stop the exercise and inform your Cardiac Rehabilitation Nurse
• Chest Pain
• Dizziness
• Joint Pain / Problems
• General Feelings of being Unwell
GTN Technique & 10 Minute Rule
If you experience any chest pain, that feels like your angina or differs from pain you have been experiencing:
• Stop whatever you are doing
• Stay Calm
• Sit Down
GTN Technique:
• Spray the GTN once away from you to check the pump is working correctly
• Always sit down when using the spray
• Spray once under your tongue
• Wait 5 minutes
• If the pain is still present – spray again under your tongue
• Wait 5 minutes
• You have now sprayed twice and waited 10 minutes
• If the pain is still present – Get Help – Dial 999.
Without GTN:
• Sit down and try to relax
• See if the pain eases...
• If however the pain is still present or is becoming worse:
• Get Help / Dial 999
• You should never wait any longer than 10 minutes before getting help.
