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General health information

Cardiac rehabilitation

Cardiac rehabilitation is a supervised programme following, for example, a heart attack, angioplasty, heart surgery, heart failure or another heart condition. It combines a safe, gradual increase in activity with information, lifestyle guidance, emotional support and help returning to daily life. Exercises must always be tailored to you. Stop immediately if you develop chest pain, severe breathlessness, dizziness or feel unwell, and get in touch with a healthcare professional.

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  • Cardiac rehabilitation supports recovery after a heart attack, angioplasty, bypass or valve surgery, heart failure or other heart conditions.
  • The programme covers safe activity, medicines, lifestyle, emotional recovery and returning to daily life.
  • Exercise intensity must be tailored to you. What is safe for one person is not automatically safe for another.
  • Stop exerting yourself if you have chest pain, chest pressure, marked breathlessness, dizziness, palpitations or feel close to fainting.
  • For sudden severe symptoms, call 912 immediately. For urgent GP care outside office hours, call HAP 9252.

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Further reading

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Thickened heart muscleA thickened heart muscle can result from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, long-standing high blood pressure, a narrowed heart valve or other diseases. The cause determines risk and treatment; fainting during exercise, severe chest pain or sudden breathlessness needs immediate assessment.
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Kneecap pain with movementPain around or behind the kneecap when using stairs, squatting, running or sitting for a long time is often called patellofemoral pain. The knee is usually not damaged; targeted exercise therapy and a gradual increase in activity often help.
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Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)A pneumothorax is air between the lung and chest wall, causing part of the lung to collapse. It often causes sudden chest pain and breathlessness, but severity can vary greatly. A tension pneumothorax is life-threatening and can cause rapid deterioration with severe breathlessness, a fast heartbeat and agitation. After a pneumothorax, do not fly or dive until a doctor has confirmed it is safe again.