We introduce you to some of our Amity Health Esperance team, who provide support and rehabilitation to people living in the South-East Coastal Goldfields community. People who have experienced a heart attack, have heart disease, or are at risk of developing heart disease.

Pictured: Amity Health’s Sue (Registered Nurse/Care Coordinator) & Cris (Exercise Trainer)

Esperance can seem a long way from Perth, particularly when you need medical support following a life changing episode, such as a cardiac event.

Returning to Esperance from Perth can lead to feelings of fear and uncertainty about your ongoing health journey, and the help and support you may need once home.

Suzanne is a registered nurse and chronic disease care coordinator, who along with her colleague, exercise trainer Cris, facilitate community-based cardiac rehabilitation programs, from their Amity Health Esperance office in Dempster Street.

How can you join the program?

If you are based in Esperance or outlying areas, have a discussion with your doctor who will refer you into the program.

What does the program look like?

The programs are offered as small groups of up to 12 people. Classes are available in the mornings and afternoons, twice per week.

All physical activity classes are supervised and monitored by Sue and Cris, giving you confidence to get back on your feet and moving again. Every class provides opportunity to learn more with additional educational sessions offered on specific topics.

What benefits will you gain from joining the program?

1. You are not alone on this journey - meet local people with similar experiences

2. Knowledge is power - understand more about your heart condition in a relaxed environment

3. Learn risk factors - reduce your specific risk factors

4. Secondary prevention (1 in 4 people will experience a 2nd heart attack) - take control.

Once a person is diagnosed with heart disease, it’s a lifelong condition requiring ongoing management which cannot be ignored.

Keeping your heart healthy is something that can be worked on every day. To find out what you can do to look after your heart, the Heart Foundation has some great tips!

Guest Author: Suzanne Mitchell – Registered Nurse/ICDC Coordinator

May 2022