Returning to Exercise After a Heart Attack – Karen’s Story
Karen was 55 when she experienced an unexpected NSTEMI heart attack. She had considered herself fairly fit and healthy, walked around 12,500 steps a day, worked as a gardener and regularly attended Pilates and other exercise sessions.
Her heart attack began a journey through hospital treatment, NHS cardiac rehabilitation and, eventually, finding a way to continue exercising independently for the long term.
This is Karen’s experience, in her own words.
“I am fitter than ever and feel I am building a strong healthspan, whatever my lifespan may turn out to be.”
Karen’s experience at a glance
Cardiac event: NSTEMI heart attack
Age at cardiac event: 55
Treatment: Angiograms and coronary stent
Cardiac rehabilitation: NHS Stage 3 cardiac rehabilitation followed by eight weeks of supervised circuit classes
Next step: Online long-term cardiac exercise
Karen’s progress: From medium-intensity exercise to completing higher-intensity workouts with weights
What Karen values: Exercise variety, flexibility, RPE guidance and being part of a supportive community
My heart attack at 55
I had an unexpected NSTEMI heart attack in May 2025, aged 55, despite thinking I was fairly fit and healthy.
I walked my dogs twice daily, averaged around 12,500 steps, worked as a gardener four to five days a week, did Pilates, and attended regular Toning Tables and Power Plate sessions.
My diet was fairly healthy, though probably too heavy on baked goods! Before becoming a gardener in early 2024, I worked in a stressful office job with lots of travel and hotel stays, when my diet and alcohol intake were less healthy.
In hospital, I had two angiograms and a stent fitted in my Left Anterior Descending Artery. I was told my other arteries were clear and, thankfully, my heart had suffered minimal damage because I reached hospital so quickly.
Starting cardiac rehabilitation after my heart attack
I left hospital with several medications and was discharged into the care of my GP and the Cardiac Rehab Team attached to the Cumberland Infirmary.
I was given a Heart Manual to support me before my Rehab assessment, encouraged to take short daily walks, and gradually build up to around 45 minutes. Once I could do that without stopping, I began a simple home exercise programme and built up to an hour a day.
After my Stage 3 Cardiac Rehab session in July, I began eight weeks of in-person circuit classes at my local gym in August, led by a Cardiac Rehab Fitness Practitioner and a Nurse.
I loved the classes, which gave me confidence to exercise harder than I thought possible.
I learnt about the Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE), how to judge my limits, what truly counts as exercise, and how much I need each week to stay fit and well.
I realised my previous activity had not been doing me as much good as I thought, and that I needed to “up my game” to reduce the risk of another cardiac event.
Discovering I had high Lipoprotein(a)
During this time I learnt I have high Lipoprotein(a), inherited from my father, who sadly died aged 53 after four heart attacks over eleven years.
This puts me at high risk of further cardiac events, with no current medication available to lower LP(a), so the medical advice is to minimise other risk factors through cholesterol-lowering drugs, exercise, and lifestyle changes.
This news was frightening, especially as I also discovered my body was not responding well to statins and my liver function was affected.
I was taken off statins and referred to the Lipid Clinic, around the time my Stage 3 classes were ending.
What happens after Phase 3 cardiac rehabilitation?
As I was keen to continue exercising, the NHS Rehab team recommended Cardiac Lauren to me, as there is no Stage 4 provision locally.
I was initially unsure about exercising online, as I valued the reassurance of being in a room with others and supported by trained professionals.
However, Cardiac Lauren’s website reassured me: Lauren seemed very knowledgeable and professional, the classes looked good, and the flexibility suited my sometimes-unpredictable routine. So I signed up!
The onboarding experience immediately felt personal, even though Lauren is at the other end of the country. I loved that she responded to my questionnaire with tailored recommendations and had me complete an assessment class before advising where to start.
Continuing cardiac exercise at home
I now do the two new classes released each week and use the back catalogue to meet my weekly exercise goals from my kitchen.
I love exploring the different classes as the variety is excellent, combining strength, stamina, resilience, balance and brain-work for a full-body workout at the right level for me.
Lauren’s style is relatable and engaging — it feels as if she is in the room, and I often talk back to her, which helps me gauge my RPE!
Another bonus is the different class lengths, making it easy to fit one in, or add an extra session if I have time.
I’ve also progressed from medium intensity to being able to complete high intensity workouts with weights, which I never would have believed I was capable of!
Feeling fitter, stronger and more confident
I am fitter than ever and feel I am building a strong healthspan, whatever my lifespan may turn out to be.
I’m stronger, more confident, down three dress sizes, and have much better muscle tone.
I’m a new woman and have had to buy new clothes – what a hardship!
At my Lipid Clinic appointment in March, despite stopping statins in August 2025 and only starting the alternative Inclisiran in December, the Consultant was delighted with my results.
He said my exercise programme, diet, and lifestyle changes were doing more for my heart health than any drug could.
Alongside Inclisiran, I now take only daily aspirin and a low dose of Ticagrelor, prescribed because of my elevated LP(a). My blood pressure is on the lower side of normal and I feel great!
Having support when things don’t go to plan
Lauren is incredibly supportive. When a physical injury briefly stopped me doing normal classes earlier this year, she quickly reassured me and suggested alternative stretches, and appropriate classes for when I was ready. She is so responsive!
The Cardiac Lauren community is supportive and engaging too, with a vibrant WhatsApp group full of people with really varied life experience.
We share life news, recipes, travel tips, book recommendations, gardening ideas and support when life gets tough, as well as celebrating when things go well.
Cardiac Lauren has become such an important part of my life that I can’t imagine not being part of it now.
It’s helping me take control of my future in an enjoyable, positive way and is definitely one of the “silver linings” to have come out of my health challenges.
Karen Brough, Cumbria, age 56
More about exercising after a heart event
Karen’s experience shows how cardiac rehabilitation can be the beginning rather than the end of someone’s exercise journey.
If you are interested in learning more about exercising following a heart event, you may also like:
Anthony’s Story – Rebuilding confidence after a heart attack
Anthony shares the emotional as well as physical challenges he experienced after an NSTEMI heart attack at 46 and how he gradually rebuilt his confidence.
Chris’s Story – Exercising with heart failure after heart valve surgery
Read another member’s experience of heart failure and valve surgery, and how she has continued exercising as part of her recovery.
How does Cardiac Lauren work?
Find out how the online Cardiac Lauren programme works, including the different exercise classes available and how members can exercise at a time that suits them.
Why is the Warm-Up so important?
Learn why gradually preparing the heart and body for exercise is particularly important when exercising with a cardiovascular condition.
Why is the Cool-Down important after exercise?
Discover why cardiac exercise shouldn’t finish suddenly and what happens to the heart and circulation during recovery.
What does a Cardiac Rehab Specialist do?
World Heart Day 2026
For World Heart Day, discover more about heart health, exercise and the many different experiences people can have following a cardiovascular diagnosis or event.
Karen’s story describes her personal experience. Everyone’s cardiac condition, treatment and recovery is different, including medication, so what worked for Karen may not be appropriate for someone else. Always follow the individual advice provided by your cardiac rehabilitation team or healthcare professionals, particularly before making any changes to your medication.
