- Joondalup Health Campus, part of Ramsay Health Care, offers all cardiac patients free rehabilitation and education sessions from a team of physiotherapists, dieticians, pharmacists, occupational therapists and pastoral care workers.
- Red February - or REDFEB - is a month-long awareness campaign aimed at reducing the devastating impact heart disease has on families and communities.
Perth bricklayer Jim Bain was hoping to retire on his own terms, but a cardiac arrest in January put an immediate end to his physically demanding career.
He says this is still a better outcome than losing his life.
The 63-year-old became unwell following a round of golf and was transported to Joondalup Health Campus (JHC), part of Ramsay Health Care, by ambulance.
After being hospitalised, Jim experienced a further cardiac episode and was implanted with a defibrillator device to monitor his heart rhythm and administer shocks if he suffers another cardiac event.
Since leaving hospital, Jim has been attending JHC’s Cardiac Rehabilitation and Secondary Prevention Education program.
The seven-week course supports recovery and long-term heart health, and is delivered by a multidisciplinary team of physiotherapists, dieticians, pharmacists, occupational therapists, and pastoral care workers.
The group sessions also offer patients and their families a chance to connect with others navigating a similar health journey.
“I’m not usually one for putting pen to paper but I’ve learned so much. Things I wouldn’t have thought to ask, or might have been too scared to ask, someone else will bring them up, and you don’t feel alone,” Jim said.
JHC cardiac rehabilitation nurse Gaby Plimmer is the point of contact for Cardiac Care Unit (CCU) patients after they have been discharged.
She runs the free education course, refers patients to community exercise programs and offers follow-up consults.
“I help them understand what’s happened to them and how they can move forward. Everyone admitted with a heart event is given the opportunity to attend rehabilitation sessions,” Gaby said.
Some patients remain connected with Gaby long after leaving hospital.
“They’ve got my number, and they can call me whenever they like. I’ve had a patient who works FIFO contact me from site asking about chest pain and whether they should be concerned,” Gaby said.
“We bond with the patients, so they feel comfortable picking up the phone for reassurance. Heart attacks and other cardiac events can seem scary because they are life-changing, but often people recover and live long lives.”
Heart disease accounts for nearly one in five Australian deaths, but the mortality rate has been decreasing over the last 10 years.[1]
“The evidence shows that cardiac rehab exercise and education improves outcomes and reduces mortality,” Gaby said.
For now, Jim is still in recovery mode, but doctors have assured him by following his rehabilitation routine he will be playing golf again soon.
“Golf is my hobby and what I love. But if my heart eventually says otherwise, I’ve got to listen. You’ve got to accept the help and advice, or you might not be around for much longer,” he said.
Joondalup Health Campus recently opened two dedicated cardiac catheter laboratories fitted with the latest technology, alongside its new CCU as part of a multi-million-dollar development project.
Red February – or REDFEB – is a month-long awareness campaign aimed at reducing the devastating impact heart disease has on families and communities.
Contact details:
Lindsay Brennan - 0423387042
