Nicola Bowers, sister on the cardiac day unit, said: “The children really enjoyed designing the display and it was a great opportunity to brighten up the waiting area for our patients.”

The cardiac catheterisation laboratory uses hi-tech equipment and is an integral part of the treatment of patients with cardiac conditions. From angioplasty to stent placement and cardiac imaging, the laboratory provides top-quality, individualised care in a technologically advanced facility.

Nicola added: “Exercising, maintaining a healthy diet and being aware of dangers such as smoking, drinking, high blood pressure and stress are key to reducing the risk of coronary heart disease.”

Cardiac rehabilitation can improve patients’ quality of life by helping them to become active self-managers of their condition, which can involve a range of hospital, home and community-based services that provide a tailored rehabilitation programme.

ENDS.

Notes to editors:

• During a catheterisation procedure, a thin, flexible tube, or catheter is inserted into an artery in the patient's arm or leg. The catheter is then gently moved further into the arteries or the heart. It can be used as a diagnostic tool to figure out what is wrong with a patient's cardiovascular system or it can also be used as a form of treatment for coronary artery disease.
• Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust provide a wide range of high quality acute and community services from three acute hospital sites in Amersham, Stoke Mandeville and Wycombe, five community hospitals at Thame, Marlow, Buckingham, Chalfonts and Gerrards Cross and Waterside,and a number of community sites across the county. Details of these can be found here: http://www.buckinghamshirehospitals.nhs.uk/community-health-services.htm
• Specialist services include our regional dermatology, allergy and skin cancer centre, burns care and plastics sub-regional centre, cardiac services and the National Spinal Injuries CentreMore than 6,000 staff serve residents across Buckinghamshire, Thame (Oxfordshire), Tring (Hertfordshire) and Leighton Buzzard (Bedfordshire) - a combined population of 500,000. It serves a much larger population, 1.5m, for burns and plastic services and 14m for spinal injuries
• On 1 April 2010 Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust became the new partner to Community Health Buckinghamshire

For further information, contact the communications team on 01494 734959 or at communications@buckshosp.nhs.uk.