Frequently Asked Questions

The information below is educational and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider.

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  • No. Vitality-CMD is an evidence-informed lifestyle health programme. It complements but never replaces your medical care. All participants require cardiologist or GP clearance prior to enrolment.

  • Cardiac rehabilitation is commissioned for patients following a cardiac event — such as a heart attack or bypass surgery. CMD, INOCA, and ANOCA are not named inclusion criteria under current Irish or UK cardiac rehab guidelines, meaning most women with these conditions may not be able to access standard cardiac rehab. Vitality-CMD was built specifically for this population — not as a replacement for cardiac rehab, but as a tailored lifestyle health programme purpose-built for women who fall outside its remit.

  • Yes — the 1:1 virtual programme has no fixed start date. Once you register interest, cardiologist or GP clearance is obtained, and your assessment is complete, your programme begins. Most participants start within 1–2 weeks of enquiry.

  • Irish patients referred by a cardiologist or GP may be eligible for 20% income tax relief on programme fees under the Health Expenses Relief scheme. This reduces the net cost of the 1:1 programme to approximately €1,440 total, and group programme to approximately €960 total. Please consult your tax advisor to confirm eligibility.

  • You can still register interest. We require cardiologist or GP clearance before enrolment, and we encourage you to continue working with your medical team toward a formal diagnosis.

  • Vitality-CMD is a 3-month programme that is delivered in two formats, 1:1 personal, or hybrid group. The 1:1 programme consists of 9 virtual sessions over three months. The group programme begins with one full in-person day, followed by six virtual group sessions over the subsequent months. There’s ongoing support during both formats. The programme covers respiratory physiology and autonomic regulation, sleep optimisation, stress mastery and mental skills training, graduated movement adapted for exertional symptoms, hydration and nutrition foundations, and peer community and behaviour change.

  • Vitality-CMD is founded and led by Ciarán Byrne — BSc, MSc (Biomedical Science), MSc (Applied Exercise & Sport Psychology), Cert. Oxygen Advantage™ Advanced Instructor — with 15 years of medtech experience across cardiovascular and peripheral vascular domains (Abbott Vascular, Cook Medical) and named inventor on two US patents in cardiovascular health.

  • Yes — and we actively welcome clinician referrals. Your cardiologist or GP can submit a referral in under five minutes via our dedicated referral page. We contact you within 24 hours and manage all subsequent communication. The referring physician remains your treating doctor throughout.

  • Participants should contact their medical team immediately if symptoms change. We maintain open channels of communication with referring physicians and operate strictly within our scope of practice as a lifestyle health programme.

  • The programme is available in Ireland and the UK. For the hybrid format, it begins with one in-person day. The remaining sessions are delivered virtually. The next in-person one-day is in Dublin, with groups in London and Glasgow coming later in 2026. If you’re unable to make the in-person day, we offer a fully virtual format, or let us know your closest town or city as we’ll be expanding to other cities.

  • No — and we never claim otherwise. Evidence supports the role of structured lifestyle programmes in CMD management alongside medical care and risk factor modification. Individual results will vary.

  • We recognise that VSA and CMD frequently co-exist, and that women living with both conditions often have limited structured support beyond medication.

    At this stage, Vitality-CMD has been designed primarily for women with CMD and non-obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA). If you have a confirmed VSA diagnosis alongside CMD, we ask that you discuss participation with your cardiologist before applying. Where your cardiologist confirms your condition is stable and well-managed, we review on a case-by-case for participation. Participant safety is our priority.

    We are actively working to develop a more structured pathway for women with VSA - if you would like to be kept informed, please register your interest by contacting our team.

    This is not a program for unstable or uncontrolled vasospastic angina.

  • You can schedule a no-obligation consult call with a team member to learn more about the programme and decide if it’s a fit for you.

  • CMD disproportionately affects women, hence the initial service is designed for women only. A men’s version of the programme is planned for the future.

  • Yes — Vitality-CMD is designed specifically for women with confirmed or suspected CMD, INOCA, or ANOCA. All participants must receive cardiologist or GP clearance prior to participation.