What is cardiac rehabilitation?
Cardiac rehabilitation is a supervised outpatient program designed to improve your heart health. The program helps individuals recover after experiencing a heart attack, angioplasty (stent), bypass surgery, valve replacement or heart transplant.
A team effort
You are not alone when facing heart disease. Cardiac rehabilitation is a team effort. Your team consists of cardiologists, kinesiologists, a dietitian, pharmacist and mental health therapists. Our multidisciplinary approach helps support you on your road to recovery.
Our program design
At Osler, the Cardiac Rehabilitation program offers in-person and virtual sessions once a week over the course of 12 weeks. The program is offered at both Etobicoke General Hospital and Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health and Wellness.
Weekly visits include:
- Interactive heart healthy education
- Aerobic and resistance training
- Flexibility/mobility sessions
Additional services:
- Virtual education session with a registered dietitian
- Virtual cognitive behavioural therapy, offered to eligible patients dealing with anxiety and depression
By the end of the program, you will learn practical skills to better manage your heart condition, improve your overall fitness and safely return to your everyday activities.
Benefits of cardiac rehabilitation
- Improved management of heart disease-related symptoms and cardiovascular risk factors
- Increased self-confidence, psychological well-being and overall quality of life
- Improved cardiovascular fitness, physical strength and energy level
- Increased survival rates, reduced re-hospitalizations and risk of future cardiac events
The enrollment process
Do I need a doctor's referral? |
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Yes, you do need to be referred to the program. If you or your family member are interested in learning more about the program, please speak with your health care provider to see if the Cardiac Rehabilitation program is suitable for you. You may request that a referral be faxed to 905-494-6773. |
What happens after I am referred? |
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If eligible, we will contact you to book an exercise stress test supervised by a cardiologist. You will then attend a virtual intake consultation with one of our cardiac rehabilitation therapists. |
What if I have more specific questions? |
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For more information about the program, please call our office at 905-863-2553. If you have personal concerns about your cardiac health, please contact your cardiologist or family doctor. |
