Heart Education Awareness Resource and Training through eLearning (HEARTe)



Rehabilitation and aftercare needs of survivors and families

Structured cardiac rehabilitation programmes have, traditionally, been aimed at patients who have Acute Coronary Syndrome or who have had cardiac surgery. This should include patients who have had an Internal Cardiac Defibrillator (ICD) implanted following an OHCA. Although these programmes are increasingly being offered to a wider cohort of patients, not everybody who has experienced an OHCA will be referred for a cardiac rehabilitation programme. It is essential, however, that care of the OHCA patient and their families/significant others continues post-hospital discharge.

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The physical, psychological, social and practical issues raised in this section will be further explored in the three Case Studies.

The potential rehabilation and aftercare needs fall into four main categories:

Physical

This might include support and advice regarding exercise; lifestyle risk factor modification, such as

  • diet/smoking;
  • medications;
  • coping with fatigue;
  • cardioprotective therapies.

Psychological

An OHCA can have a deep psychological impact on those involved. Aftercare should include supporting individuals to recognise and cope with their emotions. Anxiety, depression, adjustment disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder have all been identified as occuring in a percentage of those affected by OHCA.

Social

Inability to return to work and to undertake normal social activities can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness in an OHCA survivor, even when surrounded by family and friends. Similarly, family members may find their normal llives very different from prior to the event and may need support and advice to help them through this phase of post-hospital discharge.

Practical

Experiencing an OHCA can have implications for a range of areas of everyday life and survivors will need advice and information. These can include changes in:

    • financial circumstances;
    • need for phased return to work;
    • eligibility to drive;
    • travel/life insurance.

Pulse point

For those individuals who are identified as having experienced an OHCA as a result of an inherited genetic condition, specialised support and advice will be required. Further information on this can be found at HEARTe: Inherited and Congenital Cardiac Disease.