Manpreet underwent her second open heart surgery in November 2023 and after completing the beginner phase 3 cardiac rehab at Derby Royal Hospital, joined the Trust’s 6-month Cardiac Rehab programme in May 2024.

The aim of the programme is to improve lifestyle through supporting changes in diet and increasing physical activity levels. Since starting the programme Manpreet has become a popular member of the group. Manpreet initially joined as she wanted to do anything and everything, she could get her heart better in order to prevent getting sick again. She was introduced to the programme by DCCT staff Jon and Morgan who attended a session at Derby Royal Hospital to promote the Trust’s 6-month Cardiac Rehab offer.

Manpreet takes part in 3 sessions a week as part of the programme. A Tuesday at Derby Arena and a Thursday and Friday at Moorways Sports Village. The Tuesday sessions combine cardio and strength training, Thursdays consist of circuit training in pairs and Friday’s offers station-based exercise. Manpreet enjoys the variety she gets with each session.

Manpreet was very physically fit before her surgery, and due to her health, she gained a lot of weight in a short period time which led to her losing a lot of her confidence. She said “I used to be someone who would work out every day and was physically fit despite my condition, as I was born with a hole in my heart. I was at the point last year where I couldn’t even climb a flight of stairs. I couldn’t breathe and speak at the same time because that’s how sick I was”.

Cardiac Rehab participants can take the sessions at their own pace and when they are not feeling 100%, they can modify the exercises. This is something that Manpreet values and since joining she describes notable differences in her fitness, stating that it has been invaluable for her rehabilitation.

Speaking about the progress she has made, Manpreet said:

“Even though my surgeon and the surgery saved my life, I feel like the rehab and working with Jon and Morgan has given me my confidence back and I have noticed an improvement in my fitness for sure.”

In addition to the physical activity element, the Trust’s Cardiac Rehab programme also provides the opportunity for participants to meet others who are going through the same experiences. For Manpreet, this has been a key part of her experience as she was required to isolate for 4 months either side of her surgery. She said “I have made friends here; everyone looks out for eachother. They are all so lovely. Not everyone has had the same surgery, but they all have heart conditions. You can relate to people and understand how they are feeling and equally they understand if you are not feeling 100%.”

Nearly a year on from her surgery, the future is looking bright for Manpreet whose recovery is going well. She said, “If the hospital hadn’t said that these sessions were a thing, I wouldn’t have known about it, and I probably would have been doing the wrong type of exercise for my condition”.  Manpreet met with her doctors 4-5 weeks ago who told her that everything was healing from the inside and that her heart and new metal valve were working as they should be. Manpreet intends to carry on with gym sessions for as long as she can after her 6-month programme has finished.

Manpreet would recommend this programme to anyone who has the opportunity, saying:

“If anyone has the opportunity to start rehab on a programme like this that has a heart condition, or has had any cardiac treatments then definitely do it because you do notice a big difference in your fitness and confidence.”

You can hear more from Manpreet and her experiences on her podcast ‘Soul Stories with Kav and Manps’ where she talks further about life with a heart condition. Listen on Spotify here. 

Cardiac Rehab