HEART CONCERN
ABOUT THE GROUP…..

“HEART CONCERN” is a Lancaster based Support Group whose interests and activities are ‘concerned’ with people in Lancaster Morecambe and District, who have coronary heart disease or other heart conditions.

Coronary heart disease is the cause of 150,000 (26%) of deaths in the U. K. each year.
Less well known is the fact that an equal number of people survive and are admitted to hospital for treatment. The Coronary Care Unit at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary admits over 800 victims of heart attack each year.
Following treatment and care by specialist doctors and nurses the patient is discharged from hospital and encouraged to return to a full and active life as soon as possible.

The human heart has a great capacity for healing damage incurred during a heart attack.
Until a few years ago long periods of rest and relative inactivity were advocated to allow this healing process to take place.
The social and economical effects on the patient’s well being during this long recovery
period were considerable and a more positive approach to the rehabilitation
process was considered essential.

In 1982 under the supervision of a Cardiologist and Physiotherapists, a Cardiac Rehabilitation programme was commenced at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary.
The programme was based at the hospital and made available to all patients recovering
from a heart attack.

The success of the programme meant that people were able to return to a full and active life more quickly than would previously have been possible. The Cardiac Rehabilitation programme continues to this day with over 1,000 exercise sessions taking place each year.

A heart attack is a painful and frightening experience for the sufferer and can leave feelings of insecurity and anxiety. Family and friends can be similarly affected and social problems arising from a heart attack can be cause for great concern.

During and after a heart attack the patient and his/her family may be helped by contact with others who have recovered and returned to a full and active life.

Access to information regarding post coronary care and the latest developments in the treatment of coronary heart disease are also extremely important.

‘HEART CONCERN’ was formed in January 1984 to address these issues