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rightsnet_benefit_rates_poster_2023-2024.pdf

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A book that offers practical self-help strategies to help with the psychological impact of living with heart disease

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A book that offers practical self-help strategies to help with the psychological impact of living with heart disease

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Coping with the Psychological Effects of Illness: Strategies to Manage Anxiety and Depression | Reading Well booklists | Books | Reading Well (reading-well.org.uk)

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Fran Smith, Dr Robert Bor, Dr. Carina Eriksen

Whether it concerns cancer, heart disease, diabetes, or a mental health condition, sudden illness comes as a shock and challenges confidence. Suddenly people can be afraid to exercise, have sex or even go to the shops. Their entire self-image can take a battering, and this roller-coaster of uncertainty often leads to anxiety and depression. This book examines the learning curve involved in sudden and chronic illness, and explores key ways to build resilience during this time of challenge. Drawing on CBT techniques, it offers practical self-help strategies to help deal with changed expectations and lifestyles. This patient-centred guide is suitable for all reading levels.

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Fran Smith, Dr Robert Bor, Dr. Carina Eriksen Whether it concerns cancer, heart disease, diabetes, or a mental health condition, sudden illness comes as a shock and challenges confidence. Suddenly people can be afraid to exercise, have sex or even go to the shops.

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A website offering information and a benefits calculator or Grants search to find out what help you can get.

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A website offering information and a benefits calculator or Grants search to find out what help you can get.

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Fighting UK Poverty - Turn2us

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Turn2us is a national charity offering information and practical support to people facing financial insecurity. We help people gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and other support - online, by phone and face to face through our work in communities and the organisations we partner with.

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MRI scan - How it's performed - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

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A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is a painless procedure that lasts 15 to 90 minutes, depending on the size of the area being scanned and the number of images being taken.

Before the scan

On the day of your MRI scan, you should be able to eat, drink and take any medication as usual, unless you're advised otherwise.

In some cases, you may be asked not to eat or drink anything for up to 4 hours before the scan, and sometimes you may be asked to drink a fairly large amount of water beforehand. This depends on the area being scanned.

When you arrive at the hospital, you'll usually be asked to fill in a questionnaire about your health and medical history. This helps the medical staff ensure you have the scan safely.

Read more about who can and can't have an MRI scan.

Once you have completed the questionnaire, you'll usually be asked to give your signed consent for the scan to go ahead.

As the MRI scanner produces strong magnetic fields, it's important to remove any metal objects from your body.

These include:

watches

jewellery, such as rings and necklaces

piercings, such as ear, nipple and nose rings

dentures (false teeth)

hearing aids

wigs (some wigs contain traces of metal)

It's best not to bring any valuables with you to your scan, but if you do they can usually be stored in a secure locker.

Depending on which part of your body is being scanned, you may need to wear a hospital gown during the procedure.

If you don't need to wear a gown, you should wear clothes without metal zips, fasteners, buttons, underwire (bras), belts or buckles.

Contrast agent

Some MRI scans involve having an injection of contrast agent (dye). This makes certain tissues and blood vessels show up more clearly and in greater detail.

Sometimes the contrast agent can cause side effects, such as:

feeling or being sick

a skin rash

a headache

dizziness

These side effects are usually mild and don't last very long.

It's also possible for contrast agent to cause tissue and organ damage in people with severe kidney disease.

If you have a history of kidney disease, you may be given a blood test to determine how well your kidneys are functioning and whether it's safe to proceed with the scan.

You should let the staff know if you have a history of allergic reactions or any blood clotting problems before having the injection.

Anaesthesia and sedatives

An MRI scan is a painless procedure, so anaesthesia (painkilling medication) isn't usually needed.

If you're claustrophobic, you can ask for a sedative to help you relax. You should ask your consultant well in advance of having the scan.

If you decide to have a sedative during the scan, you'll need to arrange for a friend or family member to drive you home afterwards, as you won't be able to drive for 24 hours.

Babies and young children may be given a general anaesthetic before having an MRI scan.

This is because it's very important to stay still during the scan, which babies and young children are often unable to do when they're awake.

During the scan

An MRI scanner is a short cylinder that's open at both ends. You'll lie on a motorised bed that's moved inside the scanner.

You'll enter the scanner either head first or feet first, depending on the part of your body being scanned.

In some cases, a frame may be placed over the body part being scanned, such as the head or chest.

This frame contains receivers that pick up the signals sent out by your body during the scan and it can help to create a better-quality image.

A computer is used to operate the MRI scanner, which is located in a different room to keep it away from the magnetic field generated by the scanner.

The radiographer operates the computer, so they'll also be in a separate room to you.

But you'll be able to talk to them, usually through an intercom, and they'll be able to see you at all times on a television monitor and through the viewing window throughout the scan.

A friend or family member may be allowed to stay with you while you're having your scan. Children can usually have a parent with them.

Anyone who stays with you will be asked if they have a pacemaker or any other metal objects in their body.

They'll also have to follow the same guidelines regarding clothing and the removal of metallic objects.

To avoid the images being blurred, it's very important to keep your whole body still throughout the scan until the radiographer tells you to relax.

A single scan may take from a few seconds to 3 or 4 minutes. You may be asked to hold your breath during short scans.

Depending on the size of the area being scanned and how many images are taken, the whole procedure will take 15 to 90 minutes.

The MRI scanner will make loud tapping noises at certain times during the procedure. This is the electric current in the scanner coils being turned on and off. You'll be given earplugs or headphones to wear.

You're usually able to listen to music through headphones during the scan if you want to, and in some cases you can bring your own CD.

You'll be moved out of the scanner when your scan is over.

After the scan

An MRI scan is usually carried out as an outpatient procedure. This means you won't need to stay in hospital overnight.

After the scan, you can resume normal activities immediately. But if you have had a sedative, a friend or relative will need to take you home and stay with you for the first 24 hours.

It's not safe to drive, operate heavy machinery or drink alcohol for 24 hours after having a sedative.

Your MRI scan needs to be studied by a radiologist (a doctor trained in interpreting scans and X-rays) and possibly discussed with other specialists.

This means it's unlikely you'll get the results of your scan immediately.

The radiologist will send a report to the doctor who arranged the scan, who will discuss the results with you.

It usually takes a week or two for the results of an MRI scan to come through, unless they're needed urgently.

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A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is a painless procedure that lasts 15 to 90 minutes, depending on the size of the area being scanned and the number of images being taken.

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Preparing for surgery - BHF

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Six young heart patients talk about their experience of having surgery and offer advice with the help of healthcare professionals.

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An online support programme for managing problems with alcohol.

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An online support programme for managing problems with alcohol.

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Space From Alcohol - SilverCloud (silvercloudhealth.com)

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A guide to exercising with a congenital heart condition

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A guide to exercising with a congenital heart condition

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Adult congenital heart service: guide to exercise - patient information (uhs.nhs.uk)

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A podcast focusing on the real experiences of people living with heart and circulatory diseases

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A podcast focusing on the real experiences of people living with heart and circulatory diseases

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The Ticker Tapes podcast - BHF

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What's The Ticker Tapes podcast about?

Hear raw and honest accounts from people affected by heart and circulatory diseases. We also talk to BHF-funded researchers, professors, and our celebrity ambassadors.

We cover topics like women and heart disease, living with heart failure, and heart surgery. You might just hear a story like yours.

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Listen to the BHF's podcast, The Ticker Tapes. Guests talk about their experiences of heart and circulatory conditions and how their lives have changed.

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How to sleep well every night - A self-help book available from your local library

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How to sleep well every night - A self-help book available from your local library

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The Sleep Book: How to Sleep Well Every Night | Reading Well booklists | Books | Reading Well (reading-well.org.uk)

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Guy Meadows

A third of the population sleep badly, but you don't have to be one of them. Using a blend of mindfulness and new ACT therapy techniques, the book shares a unique five-week plan to cure your sleep problem whether it's a few restless nights or a lifetime of insomnia. The Sleep Book is the sum of a doctorate degree in sleep and well over 12,000 hours spent working with more than 2,000 insomniacs in one-to-one clinics, workshops and retreat environments.

Find this book

Visit your local library website to borrow this book. Your local library service also offers many Reading Well books as ebooks and audiobooks, free to download.

If you'd like to buy a copy of this book, you can visit our bookshop.org page.

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Guy Meadows A third of the population sleep badly, but you don't have to be one of them. Using a blend of mindfulness and new ACT therapy techniques, the book shares a unique five-week plan to cure your sleep problem whether it's a few restless nights or a lifetime of insomnia.

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Information about the link between mental health and money.

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Information about the link between mental health and money.

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Money and mental health - Mind

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Having an MRI - Bing video

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preparing for an mri scan nhs uk - Bing video

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Bristol Heart Institute (BHI) Tour - YouTube

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University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS FT

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An online support programme providing support for problems with drug use.

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An online support programme providing support for problems with drug use.

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Space from Drug Use - SilverCloud (silvercloudhealth.com)

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Take a fresh look at how much and why you use substances, and begin to assess your relationship with drugs.

Use this programme and its interactive tools to explore your relationship with substances and learn more about their impact on your life.

Use the Drug Diary to accurately record and assess how much you are using.

Weigh up the pros and cons of your drug use.

Consider making changes to how much and the way you use.

Learn about the difference between a lapse and a relapse.

Increase your awareness of your triggers and of high-risk situations and develop a plan for alternative responses.

Space from Drug Use consists of six modules. Complete these in your own time and at your own pace over approximately six weeks.

Each module contains text, video and audio clips as well as interactive and engaging activities that will help you to better understand and manage your drug use.

This programme is not intended for individuals who are heavy users of drugs and/or alcohol and those who inject.

Back to the list of programmes

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Take a fresh look at how much and why you use substances, and begin to assess your relationship with drugs. Use this programme and its interactive tools to explore your relationship with substances and learn more about their impact on your life. Use the Drug Diary to accurately record and assess how much you are using.

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Can I still exercise with a heart condition? - Heart Matters magazine - BHF

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Melissa Craig, Exercise Physiologist at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, answers common questions about exercising when you have a heart condition.

Is it safe to exercise with a heart condition?

For the vast majority of people, exercise will benefit your heart. It's best to get advice from a healthcare professional about what exercise is right for you. If you're invited to a cardiac rehabilitation programme, this includes exercise that is safe and tailored to you. We always recommend attending this programme - you can be assessed and your heart rate, blood pressure and symptoms are monitored closely, so exercise can be progressed at a rate that is appropriate to you.

Does heart medication affect my ability to exercise?

Some medications, such as bisoprolol and atenolol ( beta blockers), can affect the way your body responds to the demands of exercise. The level and type of exercise you can achieve may be affected. Some people experience very little or no effect on their ability to be active.

An exercise professional can assess your individual exercise responses and tailor your activities. Most people who attend cardiac rehabilitation can exercise with minimal problems. But you should always discuss side effects or symptoms experienced during exercise with your cardiac rehabilitation team or GP.

Could exercise set an ICD off?

This is unlikely. ICD activation settings are usually at a much higher heart rate than would be reached during a typical exercise session.

However, it is important that you and your exercise professional know your device settings, in case they are close to the heart rate that could be achieved through strenuous exercise.

Manageable goals after a heart problem

If you have a health problem, set realistic goals and build up your exercise routine gradually. Adrian Morris, Senior Exercise Physiologist at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital says: Starting an exercise routine after a heart problem can be daunting enough, without having goals that are hard to achieve or even unrealistic. Being unable to achieve these goals could then demotivate you.

Exercise goals with gradual increases in intensity will be much easier to achieve than attempting to go from zero to hero in one large step, as your body will not be able to cope easily with the sudden change in physical demands.

Top tips for exercising with a heart condition

Avoid exercising outdoors when it is very cold or very hot.

Stay well hydrated, especially on hot days.

Don't exercise if you are unwell. If your exercise programme has been interrupted for any reason, gradually ease back into it.

Stop exercising if you become really fatigued or severely short of breath and discuss your symptoms with your doctor.

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Can I still exercise with a heart condition?

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Most people with a heart condition will benefit from exercise. Find out how to get moving in a way that's safe for you.

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Healthy Weight Wales - A research-based website with personalised information, support and resources.

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Healthy Weight Wales - A research-based website with personalised information, support and resources.

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Home - Healthy Weight Healthy You

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The Healthy Weight Healthy You website is operated by Public Health Wales

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A book that offers a holistic approach to coping well with Congenital Heart Disease

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A book that offers a holistic approach to coping well with Congenital Heart Disease

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https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/61358078

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Healing Hearts and Minds: A Holistic Approach to Coping...

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Read 10 reviews from the world's largest community for readers. Full of evidence-based, easy to understand information about CHD, Healing Hearts and Minds ...

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Home - Teen Sleep Hub

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Looking for advice on how to sleep better? Tweak your routine and understand the science behind your sleep patterns.

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Please look through the sections below and click on the links that are most relevant for you.

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Please look through the sections below and click on the links that are most relevant for you.

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We know that living with a chronic health condition can be challenging. On this page there are some resources on living well with a congenital heart condition.

Please contact our service if you would like to know more about our individual psychology appointments and our group based activities and peer support.

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Clear, practical advice and support for people experiencing issues with mental health and money.

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Clear, practical advice and support for people experiencing issues with mental health and money.

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Clear, practical advice for Wales : Mental Health & Money Advice (mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org)

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How can we help?

We know everybody's different, but choose the statement that best describes you or your situation and we'll suggest some relevant topics.

Still not sure where to start?

Don't worry. We're here to help guide you to the information you need. Use the links below and we'll point you in the right direction.

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The Mental Health and Money Advice service

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The Mental Health and Money Advice service help and support people understand, manage and improve their money and mental health issues.

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Needle phobia and overcoming your fear - Overview | Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust (guysandstthomas.nhs.uk)

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Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

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Needle phobia is a fear of medical procedures that involve needles or injections. It is very common and affects at least 1 in 10 people.

There is no need to feel ashamed if you have needle phobia. Simple exercises and practice can help to overcome it.

Many people with needle phobia may have had a lot of blood tests or procedures as a child. A fear of needles and injections often, but not always, results from bad memories of needles earlier in life.

Signs and symptoms

For many people, fear of needles is linked to fainting or feeling faint. When something triggers their fear (for example, seeing blood or thinking about an injection), their heart rate and blood pressure increase. They then rapidly drop. This fall in blood pressure can cause fainting.

Many people do not confront their fear because they are embarrassed. Other people do not feel faint or actually faint, but feel panicky when something triggers their fear.

How to overcome your fear of needles

There are things you can do to help overcome your fear of needles.

Tell the person who is coordinating your care, giving you an injection or doing a blood test about your worries. They can answer any specific questions you have and help you to cope with the procedure. For example, they could chat with you during the procedure to distract you.

Try not to worry about other people's reaction. Staff looking after you will not be annoyed or think that you are weak or cowardly when you tell them about your fear of needles. It is useful for them to know about this because they can make things easier for you.

Think about if anything has helped you to cope with needles in the past. Can something like this help you again?

If your fear is linked to fainting or feeling faint, you can learn an applied tension technique.

If you feel panicky (for example, your heart races, your chest feels tight and your stomach churns) but you do not feel faint, you can learn a breathing for relaxation exercise. These exercises are safe in pregnancy and with most medical conditions.

Remember, the needle is not unbearably painful. It might hurt a little, but there are things you can do to help with anxiety. Examples are distracting your thoughts and using relaxation techniques.

Applied tension

This is a simple technique to increase your blood pressure to a normal level again and avoid fainting.

1. Sit down somewhere comfortable.

2. Tense the muscles in your arms, upper body and legs. Hold this tension for 10 to 15 seconds or until you start to feel the warmth rising in your face.

3. Release the tension and go back to your normal sitting position.

4. After 20 to 30 seconds, go through the tension procedure again until you feel the warmth in your face.

5. Repeat this sequence until you have practised the tension 5 times.

If you can, practise this sequence 3 times every day for about a week. You can then try to face your fear.

If you get headaches after doing this exercise, avoid tensing the muscles in your face and head. Also, be careful when tensing any part of your body where you have health problems.

Breathing for relaxation

1. Sit in a comfortable position, with your back upright but not stiff. Let your shoulders and jaw relax.

2. Put one hand low on your belly. Take a long, slow, deep, gentle breath in through your nose and out through your mouth. Try to breathe right down into your belly, but do not force the breath. Just let your body breathe as deeply as is comfortable for you.

3. Do this for 5 breaths.

If possible, practise this exercise 3 times every day for a week. You can then try to face your fear.

Final steps: facing your fear

When you have practised these exercises, the next step is to face your fear of needles. It is important to take one small step at a time.

You can create a 'fear ladder'. This is a list of all the situations involving needles that you fear, arranged in order of difficulty. They might include:

thinking about procedures that involve needles

seeing pictures of the procedures

watching the procedures on TV and in real life

actually having the procedures

Rate each situation on a scale of 0 to 10, where 10 is the most difficult and 0 is the easiest. Put the easiest situation at the bottom, like the first rung of the ladder.

Creating your fear ladder

To climb your fear ladder, you need to think about, or act out, each step. So, try to include some situations that are not too difficult. You can start with these.

Think about what could make a situation easier. For example, you might find it easier to look at a picture of a small needle than a large one.

Here's an example of a fear ladder:

Having an injection in my arm

10 out of 10

Holding a needle

9 out of 10

Touching a needle

8 out of 10

Watching someone else having an injection in real life

8 out of 10

Watching someone having an injection on TV or online

7 out of 10

Looking at photos of injections

6 out of 10

Listening to someone talking about having an injection

6 out of 10

Thinking about having an injection

5 out of 10

Climbing your fear ladder

1. Start with the least difficult situation (in the table above, this is thinking about having an injection).

2. Plan enough time for the exercise. You need to stay with the fear long enough to understand how anxiety works. Your anxiety peaks, stays at that level for a while and then gradually reduces on its own over time.

3. Start to use the applied tension or breathing exercise.

4. Go into the feared situation and stay with it until your anxiety starts to reduce.

5. Take some time to relax, perhaps using the breathing exercise.

6. When you feel confident with 1 situation, move up to the next step of the ladder. You may need to practise 1 situation a few times before you are ready to move to the next.

Overcoming your fear takes time and practice, but makes life less stressful and reduces your anxiety.

Key points

Do not be ashamed if you are scared of injections. You are not alone.

Tell health professionals about your worries.

Think about what helps.

Learn the applied tension technique if you faint or feel faint, or the breathing for relaxation exercise if you feel panicky.

Overcome your fear one step at a time.

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Needle phobia and overcoming your fear - Overview

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How to use relaxation, applied tension technique and a fear ladder to help you overcome the fear of needles and injections.

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Heart surgery guide - Heart Conditions | BHF - BHF

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This booklet is for adults who are going to have, or have just had heart surgery.

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A self-help guide to managing your alcohol intake.

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A self-help guide to managing your alcohol intake.

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Alcohol and You.pdf (ntw.nhs.uk)

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Couch to 5K - A web and app-based running plan for absolute beginners.

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Couch to 5K - A web and app-based running plan for absolute beginners.

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NHS Couch to 5K on the App Store (apple.com)

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Department of Health and Social Care (Digital)

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‎Healthy changes start with little changes. Whether you want to lose weight, get more active or improve your mood, Better Health and Couch to 5K will be here to support you. Millions of people have already started their running journey with the Couch to 5K plan, now it’s your turn! There has never…

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A self-help guide on managing your weight

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A self-help guide on managing your weight

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selfhelpguides.ntw.nhs.uk/abhb/leaflets/selfhelp/Food for thought.pdf

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A self-help book that offers strategies to build confidence in managing chronic illness and symptoms, such as fatigue, pain, shortness of breath, disability, and depression

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A self-help book that offers strategies to build confidence in managing chronic illness and symptoms, such as fatigue, pain, shortness of breath, disability, and depression

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Self-Management of Long-Term Health Conditions: A Handbook for People with Chronic Disease | Reading Well booklists | Books | Reading Well (reading-well.org.uk)

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Dr. Kate Lorig, Halsted Holman, David Sobel, Diana Laurent, Virginia Gonzalez, Marian Minor

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Self-Management of Long-Term Health Conditions: A Handbook for People with Chronic Disease | Reading Well booklists | Books | Reading Well

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A self-help guide on managing problems with sleeping

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A self-help guide on managing problems with sleeping

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selfhelpguides.ntw.nhs.uk/abhb/leaflets/selfhelp/Sleeping Problems.pdf

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How can being active help you prepare for heart surgery - BHF

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Being active can help you prepare for surgery and improve your recovery. Rachael Healy puts common questions to Professor Mike Grocott, Professor of Anaesthesia and Critical Care Medicine at the University of Southampton, and Professor Rupert Pearse, Professor of Intensive Care Medicine at Queen Mary University of London.

Waiting for surgery can be a stressful time. It can feel like life is on hold. However, there is growing evidence that getting moving can help prepare your mind and body for an operation. Professor Mike Grocott studies the effect of physical activity on patients before they have surgery. He works with patients awaiting surgery to remove tumours. It's hoped his research could help develop activity programmes for patients facing all kinds of surgery.

There is growing evidence that getting moving can help prepare your mind and body for an operation

Patients in Professor Grocott's study do two or three sessions per week on exercise bikes before surgery. So far, results are encouraging. Patients appear to get fitter and recover faster. "We've just done the first randomised study that shows quite clearly that you could train patients and make them fitter," he says. "It also shows an improved surgery outcome."

Similarly, a review of evidence in 2012 suggested heart surgery patients who undertook a course of exercise before their operation were able to leave hospital sooner than those who didn't. These patients were also less likely to contract pneumonia, which is a potential complication following heart surgery.

In a trial at McMaster University, Canada, bypass surgery patients exercised twice a week in the run-up to the operation. Patients did a warm-up, around 30 minutes of aerobic activity such as cycling or brisk walking, and a cool-down. These patients spent on average one day less in hospital and, six months after surgery, reported better quality of life than those outside the trial.

How could physical activity help me before surgery?

Pre-surgery activity can benefit people with a range of health conditions including coronary heart disease, COPD [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease] and heart failure. It has psychological benefits, too.

"You can be empowered to improve your journey; therefore, thinking about improving lifestyle before surgery is important," says Professor Grocott. As well as being a distraction from negative thoughts, physical activity makes your brain produce endorphins, which can reduce feelings of pain and help you feel more positive.

Is there a risk I'll make my condition worse?

Many people with heart conditions worry that exercise will put a greater strain on their heart. It's important to remember that for the majority of heart patients, being active is much more likely to benefit you than cause harm.

You can be empowered to improve your journey
Professor Mike Grocott

To put your mind at rest, and so you know what you're doing is right for your condition, consult your doctor before you start. Professor Grocott says: "If you know you've got heart disease then it's worth consulting someone, because activity is so important and will lengthen your life."

You can also ask your doctor for advice on what kind of activity is best for you.

What sort of exercise is recommended?

It can be wise to start small. Even 10 minutes of walking per day is better than nothing. "Going for a good walk just once a day is likely to improve the fitness of some patients quite significantly, in a way that will benefit them when they come to have surgery," says Professor Pearse. If you don't currently do any physical activity, start with a slow walk. Build up speed as you start to feel more comfortable. Be aware of your breathing and get to know your limits so you can take a rest when you need it.

Build up to a moderate intensity during activity - so you feel warmer, breathe harder and your heart beats faster, but you can still have a conversation. This is unlikely to be harmful for most people.

Be aware of your breathing and get to know your limits

"Cycling is also good and has the advantage that it's a non-load-bearing exercise," says Professor Grocott. But the main thing is to find an activity that suits you. "You should find something that you can fit into your lifestyle and that you might even enjoy," he says.

The best type of activity for your heart is aerobic activity - the kind that causes you to breathe a bit faster. This includes dancing, aerobics classes, brisk walking and cycling.

Generally, activities to avoid are strenuous ones such as weightlifting or heavy digging, as well as anything that brings on angina. You may also want to avoid standing up too quickly, as this can cause light-headedness. "We don't want people stressing their bodies in a way that means they become injured and their mobility suffers as a result," says Professor Pearse.

Whatever you choose, warm up and cool down gradually.

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Are there any conditions that mean you shouldn't exercise?

Most heart patients will be able to do moderate-intensity exercise. One exception may be arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). For people with ARVC, it is particularly important to get individual advice from your doctor before you start. Intense exercise is usually not recommended for people with any type of cardiomyopathy. If you have an enlarged aorta (such as an abdominal aortic aneurysm), you may be advised not to do strenuous exercise.

How will I know if I'm doing too much?

When you're exercising it's normal to experience symptoms of mild breathlessness. "That is what happens when your body is working harder, but anything more than slightly out of breath is probably a bit too much," says Professor Pearse. "The amounts of activity people have to do to reach that threshold will be different, but feeling slightly out of breath, then recovering within a few minutes and not feeling unwell or dizzy would be the right volume.

"Pain is a bad sign. If you're exercising and you're getting pains in your joints and muscles, that may be a sign to be more cautious."

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How can being active help you prepare for heart surgery?

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Being active can help you prepare for surgery and improve your recovery. Rachael Healy puts common questions to two experts.