"Cardiac rehab after open heart surgery"

I had open heart surgery at 18, I was then referred to the cardiac rehab team at Royal Shrewsbury hospital, and was wary about joining the gym there as I didn't particularly like exercise and had little confidence after my op. I was told I would be with older people as most people who have this kind of surgery are a lot older than me.

HOWEVER, I cannot knock the service I have received off them. not only do the staff make you welcome, they get you to join a group that is most suitable for you (I joined the lively jokers group - ideal for me). The staff know when to offer help as well as let you get on with it, the warm up and cool down sessions are made fun (don't think zumba classes because its not like that, its easy but gets your heart rate up).

As its like an appointment it makes you go and makes you arrive at a particular time, preventing days of "I wont bother with the gym today". I previously did very very little exercise but since joining the cardiac rehab programme I have decided to continue exercising and will do when I move to uni in a few days. I only had 12 sessions because that's all I could fit before I moved away - I genuinely wish I could have more.

Also, the lifestyle talks are worth attending! The first I went to was "Heart start" which teaches you about what to do in emergency situations regarding the heart and how to give CPR and mouth to mouth. Highly recommend it - if you're my age and doubting whether you should bother then please take my advice and just attend at least one session - its worth it! !