Welcome to the Heart Manual’s information page for patients.
This page will explain about the Heart Manual Programme, how it is used and how patients can access the resources. There are ‘go to’ links for some key websites and some general information on self-management that may be of interest to you.
What is the Heart Manual Programme?
The Heart Manual is a home-based cardiac rehabilitation programme. It is offered to suitable patients by local NHS healthcare providers. For example, if you have had a heart attack or certain cardiac procedures (coronary angiogram or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)) then you may receive it whilst in hospital, or soon after as part of your cardiac rehabilitation.
How do I receive the programme?
There are many ways cardiac rehabilitation can be delivered, and the Heart Manual is one way of supporting you through such a programme. Whether you are offered the Heart Manual or not will depend on the NHS services you have locally and how cardiac rehabilitation is offered in your local area.
Please note, we cannot provide the Heart Manual directly to patients or the public. If you feel you need more support or should be offered cardiac rehabilitation, speak to your GP.
What is the difference between the Heart Manual Programme and going to the clinic for cardiac rehabilitation?
Most of the cardiac rehabilitation in the UK is provided by attending clinic sessions run by specialist cardiac rehabilitation teams. This may include group exercise classes, education sessions or one to one consultations with a member of the cardiac rehabilitation team. This will normally run over several weeks.
Some people, for various reasons are unable to attend set clinic sessions. Offering an option of a cardiac rehabilitation programme that you can manage yourself from home, with the support of the same specialist cardiac rehabilitation team you would see if you attended the clinic, suits some people better.
An increasing number of NHS cardiac rehabilitation services offer patients, following their initial assessment, an option of either joining in a class based cardiac rehabilitation programme or to have a structured programme they can manage, with support, from home. If this is the option you prefer you may be offered the Heart Manual, but only if it is being used in your area. Research studies have shown that the Heart Manual is as effective at improving health and wellbeing as attending centre based cardiac rehabilitation programmes.
What if the Heart Manual is not being used in my area – can I access it?
The Heart Manual is only available via your local NHS provider. Some areas will use a different resource to provide home-based cardiac rehabilitation other than the Heart Manual.
