NEIL Gerrard has spoken of the “fantastic” rehabilitation programme he attended following his heart surgery, following a report showing that only a third of heart attack patients are receiving the potentially life-saving service.

The National Audit of Cardiac Rehabilitation, published by the British Heart Foundation (BHF), found that two-thirds of heart attack victims in London do not take part in a rehabilitation programme following hospital treatment.

It also found that only six in 10 coronary artery bypass patients received the service.

Rehabilitation programmes tend to last for a few weeks and give patients vital advice and information about medication, exercise, diet and lifestyle following treatment.

BHF says taking part in a programme can give boost a heart attack patient's chance of survival following diagnosis by as much as 26 per cent.

But, according to the survey, not enough patients are being referred to the programmes, and often patients see it as “an optional extra.”

BHF is now calling for rehabilitation to be more closely integrated with the rest of the treatment to boost take up.

Walthamstow MP Neil Gerrard is backing the BHF campaign.

Mr Gerrard had heart surgery in January last year. This was followed by a six-week rehabilitation programme, at Whipps Cross Hospital and Kelmscott Leisure Centre.

He said: “It is very easy if you have had a major operation to to become almost a bit frightened and not want to attend, “But the programme was really great.

“After an operation you want to know what you can do and can't do and the fact you are on the course with people who have all had similar operations is good.”

Mr Gerrard said there is nothing he cannot now do which he couldn't before his operation, although he has quit smoking.

The Guardian is awaiting a comment and borough statistics from NHS Waltham Forest (the re-badged primary care trust).