A promise made from the heart helps patient recover

Date published: 12 August 2010

A special promise made by a patient to staff at Fairfield General Hospital ensured that a man’s fitness was brought back to its prime, following a life-threatening scare.

Bill Daffern, aged 64 from Radcliffe, suffered a heart attack a week after competing in the 2009 Manchester 10K run. A normally fit and active person who only played his last rugby match three years ago, Bill was shocked that it could happen to him.

Following a programme of cardiac rehabilitation by a specialist team at Fairfield General Hospital in Bury he can now boast that he is back to full fitness, especially after fulfilling his promise to compete and bring back a 2010 Manchester 10K medal.

As part of an eight-week cardiac rehabilitation programme at the hospital, Bill was taught by various health professionals including physiotherapists, occupational therapists and dietitians how to regain his confidence, plus exercise sensibly to get his heart back into condition.

The two hour classes which are run every week for patients who have suffered either a heart attack or who have undergone heart surgery are a way of either re-educating patients to a healthier lifestyle or showing them that they can still lead the life which they led before the incident.

Bill said: “I never thought that I would have a heart attack as I have always been into sport and looked after my body through diet and exercise. I was shocked when I was told that I had had a heart attack, as initially I thought I might just have been suffering from severe indigestion. The news from the doctors at Fairfield blew my world apart and I felt hollow inside, I really thought it was the end of my life as I knew it.”

Competing in the Manchester 10K run in May, Bill was only 10 minutes behind the time he set last year. Crossing the finishing line in 72 minutes, he said he felt elated at achieving his personal goal. He added: “I was determined to finish the race this year and bring a medal back for Gill in the team. It was a terrific feeling handing it over to her and I was proud to tell her that I wasn’t even out of breath this year!”

Gill Cotterill, cardiac rehab physiotherapist and inpatient manager at Fairfield General Hospital, said: “More and more people are coming to our classes now and the average age range of people referred to us is getting younger. Previously, the majority of group members would be in their 70s and 80s, whereas now, people are having heart attacks in their 30s.

"We’ve had to revise our rehabilitation programme to cater for all ages and levels of fitness. Each patient is closely monitored throughout the sessions and are given an individual target to reach at the end of the eight week course.

"I can’t promise that everyone will complete a 10K run like Bill but if they follow the exercises taught at the hospital and repeat them at home, they will regain their strength and stamina.”