Cardiac Rehab Team help Joe to get back on track

At just 36 years old, Joe Carver’s life changed in the space of a heartbeat.

Joe suffered a sudden cardiac arrest and, in just 38 minutes, his heart stopped nine times. After days in a coma on life support, it was the care and encouragement from our Cardiac Rehab Team that helped him find his way back to life and confidence.

“They’ve given me my life back,” he said. “When I left hospital, I didn’t know where to turn. The Cardiac Rehab Team has been incredible.”

Joe, a window cleaner and dad of two from Bekesbourne near Canterbury, was referred to the service shortly after being discharged from the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford. At that point, physically home but emotionally shaken, he felt lost.

“After I was discharged, I was scared. I had lots of medication to take and I was worried about being left with just tablets. I didn’t want to go out and I was getting myself into a dark hole. I was worried. Would it happen again? I didn’t even want to stand up. I kept thinking, ‘What happens now? I’m 36.’”

Shortly after arriving home, Joe was contacted by the Cardiac Rehab Team and invited to join group sessions at Bekesbourne Village Hall. Encouraged by his family, he decided to go. “I thought, I’ve got to get on the mend. Eventually I’ve got to go back into the world.”

From the very first class, the team focused on helping Joe feel safe. His weight and pulse were monitored, his fitness assessed and exercise sessions raised his heart rate under close supervision.

“They went through everything and said they’d closely monitor my heart rate, get it up to what I would be comfortable with and then watch until it came back down. That gave me confidence,” he said. “Each week I feel better and see an improvement in myself. The staff are so positive and encouraging.”

The emotional support was just as important. “I didn’t think counselling would work, but I found myself opening up and telling Debbie everything. It’s been brilliant. I’m slowly getting my life back.”

Being alongside others who have had also had heart problems, has made a difference too. “We help each other. It’s like a little family. We talk about how we’ve been sleeping, what tablets we’re taking and give each other advice. I can see the difference in others too. It does work.”

Just weeks earlier, Joe had been fighting for his life.

He had the cardiac arrest in November 2025, while carrying out a cleaning job at a village pub. The person who found him began CPR immediately, while waiting for an ambulance and undoubtedly saved Joe’s life. In hospital Joe had a stent fitted, to unblock an artery. His family were told they might need to expect the worst.

“It was a miracle I survived it,” Joe says. “Someone was looking over me.”

When he eventually woke up, Joe had no memory of what had happened. “I went to work on the Friday and everything was fine. Next thing I know, I wake up in hospital after a coma. I’ve got no recollection of what happened in between.”

Joe believes his previous lifestyle – smoking, drinking and eating unhealthy food after a few beers – contributed to his cardiac arrest. The experience has changed him. “The heart attack scared me. I haven’t smoked since. Before, I was a big drinker. Now I still have a drink but in moderation.”

After eight weeks of attending cardiac rehabilitation twice a week, Joe is now moving on to a follow-on programme and further support.

“Because of these classes I feel like I’m back to Joe again. I feel more confident, ready for the outside world and I’ve got support from friends and family. I would 100 per cent recommend it to others. I’m living proof that it works.”

The team who have helped Joe include: Exercise Physiologist Penny Hammond, Physiotherapy Student Sarah Broadhurst, Cardiac Rehab Assistant Mark Sheppard, Senior Cardiac Rehab Practitioner Denise Hassall, Community Cardiac Nurse Specialist Kate Rudulph, Occupational Therapist Anna Gay and Counsellor Debbie Louca.

Penny said: “Joe has been committed to the cardia rehab classes. He’s taken all the lifestyle advice on board and hasn’t missed a single session. He’s made positive lifestyle changes and improved his fitness. He’s been the perfect patient!”

Cardiac rehabilitation is a professionally supervised program which includes exercise training, lifestyle changes, risk factor management and psychological support. It is designed to enhance both physical and mental well-being and improve heart health after a cardiac event. Find out more about the Cardiac Rehabilitation Service