Cardiac fitness call issued by NHS Highland
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HEART attack survivors in the Highlands have been urged to attend fitness classes to aid their recovery and cut the chances of another cardiac event.
NHS Highland made the call after research revealed that many people don’t achieve the weekly recommended minimum activity levels – whether they are heart attack survivors or not.
The health board said that those attending fitness classes and increasing physical activity levels have been shown to deliver better health outcomes, such as fewer future heart attacks and attendances at hospital.
Emma Foster, a medical student from the University of Aberdeen who is currently training in Highland, was among those to carry out the research.
She said: “We found that those with low self-efficacy, a lack of willpower and low perceived need were less likely to achieve the minimum recommended levels of physical activity, or attend cardiac rehabilitation classes.
“The cardiac rehabilitation team will use this information to deliver a more patient focused, needs based approach to rehabilitation and physical activity.
“We are keen to encourage people to take up regular physical activity, and by working more closely with Highlife Highland we will be able to deliver exercise classes in a more flexible manner.”
