World Heart Day – Marie’s story

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the world’s number one killer. Combined, conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels – such as heart attack, stroke and heart failure – kill more than 20.5 million every year.

With World Heart Day coming up on Sunday 29 September, we will be sharing stories from inspirational people who have embraced exercise in their road to recovery from a heart disease through their participation in the council’s Physical Activity Referral Scheme (PARS).

Taking part in PARS (Physical Activity Referral Scheme) has helped Marie Jones to regain her confidence and given her the motivation to be more active following a heart attack in February.

Marie from Portadown had been experiencing heart palpitations and got checked out but the results came back clear. Following a further episode of breathlessness and chest pain, Marie went to the hospital and an angiogram revealed a 70% blockage in an artery. This came as a massive shock to Marie but thankfully there was no damage to her heart.

Since completing cardiac rehab with CAH, Marie has gone on to complete the PARS programme at South Lake Leisure Centre. Marie says; “These programmes have helped massively in my journey to recovery. The instructor-led exercises at the gym built my confidence in exercising again and the advice and information received have taught me how to look after my heart and the things I need to do to help myself stay physically and emotionally healthy.”

The scheme offers specialised exercise and activity programmes for people diagnosed with a variety of medical conditions. The activity programmes are facilitated by Registered Fitness Professionals, who are qualified to cater for special populations. The scheme facilitates conditions such as cardiac disease, diabetes mellitus, obesity, mental health conditions and musculo-skeletal disorders, to name a few. Clients can only be referred onto the scheme by their GP, Practice Nurse, Consultant Dietician or Physiotherapist. Click here to find out more about PARS.