Jim Yates from Heart Throbs on the growing success of the Enfield cardiac support group
Many readers may be surprised to discover that almost one in two adults in the UK have high cholesterol levels and that heart problems, in general, strike all age groups and affect people from all walks of life and all communities.
Last year in the Dispatch we featured some of the activities of Heart Throbs, our cardiac exercise and support group based in Enfield and focused on the importance of staying fit and making lifestyle choices to minimise the risk of further heart problems.
Since then, we have continued to increase our numbers of regular exercisers at our nine weekly one-hour classes (six at Holtwhites Sports and Social Club, one at St. Stephen’s Church Hall and two Zoom classes for those who prefer to exercise at home).
We currently have over 100 members, with most engaging in regular exercise and support classes.
There is no contract or signing-on fee to join our group. Our monthly fees range from £25 to £40, depending on how many classes you wish to attend.
All our classes are safely supervised by suitably qualified instructors who encourage our diverse group of members to enjoy a more active and happier lifestyle. One of our members, aged 90, is setting an excellent example to us all by regularly attending two exercise classes every week.
Founded in 1990, Heart Throbs a local, non-profit organisation affiliated to British Heart Foundation, with community amateur sports club (CASC) status and with connections to Chase Farm, Barnet and North Middlesex hospitals. As a result, many of our members are able to share insights into similar medical experiences such as medications, stents, bypass operations, emergency open heart surgery and replacement heart valves.
We also have a WhatsApp group for messaging where we share jokes, news, advice, quips and cartoons to help liven up the odd dull day. During the last year, we have added many more exercise weights, items to aid balance, first aid kits and a digital projector to enhance our evening presentations. These monthly social evenings include a wide range of medical, lifestyle and topics of general interest, such as physiotherapy, stress and anxiety reduction techniques. In the coming months, we will have a Q&A with a senior local cardiologist, a talk by a former BBC foreign correspondent, information on lasting power of attorney, plus a quiz night and a summer barbecue.
While we are primarily a support group for people with heart problems, we are also welcoming to partners, family members, friends and others in the wider local community.
Find out more about Heart Throbs:
Call 07951 740 034
Visit heart-throbs.org.uk
No news is bad news
Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.
The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.
If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.
Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.
Monthly direct debit
Annual direct debit
£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.
More information on supporting us monthly or yearly
More Information about donations