Cardiac Rehab FAQs

You can typically transition to private care once you've completed the initial acute phase (usually 2-6 weeks post-event) and received medical clearance from your NHS cardiologist. The ideal time is after completing Phase 2 of NHS cardiac rehab or when your condition is stable on medications. Ensure continuity by sharing NHS records and discussing the transition with your cardiologist to coordinate care plans.

Virtual exercise can be safe for post-stent recovery with proper precautions. It works best during stable phases (typically 4+ weeks post-procedure) with a qualified Clinical Exercise Physiologist monitoring via video. Ensure you have proper equipment for safety, a clear space, and the ability to contact your CEP immediately if needed. In-person supervision is preferable for the first sessions and early recovery phases. Always get clearance from your cardiologist before starting any exercise program.

Clinical Exercise Physiologists provide personalised protocols based on your cardiac condition, including monitored progression rates, accurate heart rate monitoring, and a detailed understanding of your stent type and recovery phase. Unlike standard gym work, they account for medications, co-morbidities, and deliver evidence-based exercise prescription with real-time supervision to ensure safety and optimise outcomes. They also provide education on recognising warning symptoms and managing cardiac risk factors.

Private Clinical Exercise Physiologists typically charge between £60 and £150 per session, depending on experience, location, and whether sessions are conducted in a clinic or at your home. A typical cardiac rehab program involves 12-24 sessions over 8-12 weeks, so expect total costs between £720 and £3,600. Some practitioners offer discounted package rates or group sessions at lower costs. Many private health insurance plans provide partial coverage. Always check with your insurance provider about potential reimbursement options.

Phase IV is the Long-Term Maintenance stage of your recovery. Unlike Phase III (which is usually hospital-based and highly restrictive), Phase IV focuses on functional power and lifelong cardiac protection. A typical session with one of our specialists includes: Clinical Check-In: Your specialist starts by reviewing your current biometrics, checking your resting blood pressure and heart rate, and discussing any changes in your medication (like Beta-blockers or ACE inhibitors) that might affect your session. Extended Warm-Up (15 mins): This is non-negotiable in cardiac rehab. A gradual pulse-raiser to ensure your heart and blood vessels adapt safely to the upcoming workload, reducing the risk of arrhythmias. You will perform a mix of cardiovascular (aerobic) and resistance (strength) exercises. We use the Borg RPE Scale (6–20) or heart rate monitoring to ensure you are working at an intensity that is Somewhat Hard enough to improve heart health, but within your safe clinical limits. Cool Down & Recovery: A structured 10-minute period to bring your heart rate down slowly. Stopping abruptly can cause pooling of blood in the legs, which leads to dizziness. So you have a safe transition back to everyday life again. Health Education: Every session includes education, so you understand why you are doing what you are doing. Your CEP will discuss topics such as salt reduction, managing stress, or how to recognise safe vs. unsafe breathlessness during everyday activities. This is all part of lifestyle modification to set you up for long-term success.

To get the most value from your Initial Clinical Assessment for Cardiac Rehab, we recommend following this simple checklist: What to Wear: Choose comfortable gym wear or loose-fitting clothing that allows for movement. If your appointment is for a lower-limb issue, wearing shorts is particularly helpful for a visual gait or joint assessment. Footwear: Please wear supportive trainers or closed-toe athletic shoes. These are essential for safe balance and functional capacity testing. Clinical Documentation: Have a list of your current medications and any recent consultant letters or scan results (MRI/X-ray) ready. Health Data: If you use a wearable (like an Apple Watch or Fitbit) or a health monitor (for blood glucose or blood pressure), having your recent data patterns available helps your specialist see the bigger picture of your health."

Most of our practitioners in South West London offer appointments within 24 to 48 hours. Unlike the long waiting lists often found in public health, private Clinical Exercise Physiology allows for immediate intervention.

Yes, The Health Nav is completely free for patients to use. There are no subscription fees or hidden charges to browse our database. You can search for a Clinical Exercise Physiologist (CEP) by location, condition (such as Cardiac Rehab), or specialism at no cost. How booking works: Free Search & Vetting: Access our curated list of AHCS/BASES registered specialists and view their clinical profiles for free. Direct Booking: When you find the right practitioner for your needs, you can book your appointment directly through the platform. Secure Payment: You will be asked for payment details at the time of booking to secure your session. Payments are processed securely, and you will receive a confirmation and clinical intake form immediately after.

We maintain the integrity of our marketplace through our monitoring system: Bi-Annual Pulse Checks: Every 6 months, we conduct a manual audit of all active practitioners. This includes re-verifying that their Professional Indemnity Insurance is up to date and that they are meeting the latest CPD (Continuing Professional Development) requirements for Cardiac Rehab management. By combining automated alerts with manual audits, we ensure that every specialist on The Health Nav is always Fit to Practise.

To maintain our clinical standards, all practitioners must hold insurance that covers their clinical populations. This is a mandatory condition for listing on our marketplace and includes: Medical Malpractice (Professional Indemnity): This is the Gold Standard for healthcare. It ensures the practitioner is covered to provide specialist exercise prescriptions for patients with complex medical histories, such as Cardiac Rehab. Public Liability: This protects both the patient and the therapist during face-to-face sessions, whether in a clinic, a community space, or a home visit. We verify these insurance certificates during our initial vetting and during our bi-annual Pulse Checks. This ensures that if you are booking a specialist for a high-risk condition like heart disease or diabetes, you are protected by a professional who is fully indemnified for clinical work.

While our practitioners are limited to 5 primary tags, the clinic profile page will showcase the collective expertise of the entire facility. Sub-specialities represent the specific clinical niches that the clinic is equipped to handle as a team. For example, a clinic might have a primary speciality in Metabolic Health, but their Sub-speciality tags might include: GLP-1 Muscle Protection (Sarcopenia prevention), Gestational Diabetes Loading, Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) Data Review These sub-specialities help you identify clinics that have the specific equipment or combined team (e.g., a Dietitian working alongside a Clinical Exercise Physiologist) to manage your Cardiac Rehab with a 360-degree approach.

Recovery and health management are journeys, not quick fixes. While every plan is bespoke, most patients follow a three-stage clinical pathway: Phase 1: Foundation (Weeks 1–4): Usually, 1-2 sessions per week are recommended. We focus on stabilising Cardiac Rehab and establishing safe movement patterns. Phase 2: Loading & Progress (Weeks 5–12): This is where physiological changes (like improved heart health or glucose management) happen. Most patients see a CEP fortnightly during this stage. Phase 3: Maintenance: Monthly or quarterly 'check-ins' to ensure your results are permanent. Your Clinical Exercise Physiologist will provide a transparent timeline and session roadmap during your Initial Assessment.

This badge is our Clinical Guarantee. It confirms that on the date shown, The Health Nav team manually audited the practitioner’s professional standing to ensure they meet the UK’s highest standards for Clinical Exercise Physiology. To earn this badge, a practitioner must pass our Three-Pillar Vetting Process: Professional Registration: We verify active registration with the Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS) and/or CASES (The Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences). Registration with Clinical Exercise Physiology UK (a part of CASES) ensures they are recognised healthcare scientists. Clinical Insurance: We confirm the practitioner holds professional indemnity insurance specifically covering clinical exercise prescription. Qualifications: We verify that the specialist holds the necessary postgraduate or degree-level clinical qualifications required to treat complex cases like Cardiac Rehab. Safety Note: We perform regular audits. If a practitioner’s credentials or insurance expire, their Verified status is suspended until new documentation is provided.

Yes. Many of our specialists offer Telehealth Rehabilitation sessions for patients in South West London. These are not simple video calls; they are structured clinical consultations designed for safe, remote management of Cardiac Rehab. How virtual clinical exercise works: Baseline Assessment: Your specialist uses high-definition video to perform movement screens, respiratory checks, and review your biometric data (such as blood pressure or HbA1c levels). Real-Time Biofeedback: Your CEP provides immediate feedback on your exercise form and intensity, ensuring you stay within your safe clinical window without over-exertion. Hybrid Flexibility: Many patients choose a hybrid model starting with an in-person assessment in South West London to establish a baseline, followed by virtual check-ins to maintain momentum and adjust their prescription. Accessibility: Virtual sessions are highly effective for those with mobility limitations, rural locations, or suppressed immune systems, with studies showing comparable outcomes to in-person care for chronic disease management. To find an expert, simply filter for Online Appointments on our search page.

A standard Initial Clinical Assessment for Cardiac Rehab typically lasts 60 minutes. Sometimes, practitioners might offer shorter sessions, 30-45 mins or longer sessions at 75 or 90 mins. Unlike a standard gym induction, this is an in-depth clinical evaluation. Because Cardiac Rehab can be complex, this hour is dedicated to: Clinical Review: Analysing your medical history, current medications, and any consultant letters. Baseline Testing: Measuring objective markers such as blood pressure, lung function, or functional movement capacity. Prescription Design: Creating your initial dosage of exercise based on your specific limitations and goals. Follow-up sessions are also typically 60 minutes. This ensures enough time for a safe warm-up, supervised implementation of your clinical programme, and real-time adjustments to your intensity levels.

Yes. We have a dedicated network of mobile Clinical Exercise Physiologists who provide specialist rehabilitation in the comfort of your own home across South West London. Why choose a home visit for Cardiac Rehab? Environmental Assessment: Your specialist can tailor your programme to the actual layout of your home, using your stairs, chairs, and hallways to improve your daily functional independence. Clinical Safety: For those managing chronic fatigue, respiratory issues, or post-surgical recovery, a home visit removes the physical "cost" of travel, allowing you to save your energy for the actual rehab. Specialist Equipment: Our mobile partners bring portable clinical tools (such as pulse oximeters, blood pressure monitors, and resistance equipment) to ensure your session is as data-driven as it would be in a clinic. How to book: Simply use the "Home Visit" filter on our search page to find verified specialists covering your specific postcode in South West London."

On average, a private Clinical Exercise Physiology session in South West London costs between £70 and £150. Prices can fluctuate based on the specialist's seniority and the complexity of your Cardiac Rehab. You can view the exact rates and availability for all practitioners in South West London directly on our platform. When comparing costs, it is important to distinguish between a standard gym session and a Clinical Assessment: Initial Assessment (60 mins): Usually ranges from £85 to £150. This higher fee covers the clinical review of your medical history, baseline testing (e.g., blood pressure, HbA1c tracking), and the design of your bespoke prescription. Follow-up Sessions (45–60 mins): Typically cost between £80 and £120. Home Visits: In South West London, mobile sessions often carry a premium (typically +£20–£40) to account for travel time and the transport of clinical monitoring equipment.

No, you don't need a GP referral to see an exercise physiologist for Cardiac Rehab. Referral letters can help, as they will allow your EP to have a better understanding of your clinical history. This is usually discussed in your initial assessment. You can book directly with a specialist on our platform.