The regional cardiovascular rehab service is not only important for patients with a cardiovascular disease, it is also a preventative program for anyone who is at high risk of developing a cardiovascular disease.

The regional cardiovascular rehab service is a six-month program led by expert exercise therapists in consultation with dietitians, pharmacists and cardiologists. The program includes supervised exercise plans that are individualized for each patient, along with education classes, counseling and support.

Our weekly exercise classes are offered in the morning, afternoon or evening to fit your schedule. Classes are approximately 90 minutes long, and include: in class education on heart-health topics; warm-up exercises; strength training; aerobic exercise; and cool-down exercises.

During each class we supervise your exercise, review your cardiac risk factors and monitor your progress. We are here to motivate, support and encourage heart-healthy living.

You should attend this program if you have had any of the following:

• Heart attack
• Angina heart failure
• Cardiac arrhythmia,
• Cardiac procedures — including angioplasty (with stent), bypass surgery, pacemaker or ICD implant, heart transplant, and/or valve surgery

This program is also for you if you have three or more of the following risk factors for heart disease:

• History of smoking
• Diabetes
• Hiigh blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Depression, stress or anxiety
• Waist size greater than 102 cm for males, or greater than 88 cm for females
• Inactive lifestyle (less than 150 minutes of physical activity per week)

To participate in the program, you will need a referral from your physician, which can be faxed to 416-281-7280.
Download regional cardiovascular rehabilitation referral form

For questions or to learn more, please contact the regional program at 1-855-448-5471 or 416-281-7022.
Download regional cardiovascular rehabilitation brochure

Exercise Diary

Program Evaluation

Our cardiovascular rehabilitation service is supported by a team of outstanding volunteers — all whom were patients in the program themselves!

Becoming a cardiovascular rehab volunteer is a rewarding way to continue to be a part of the program that helped you to improve your own cardiovascular fitness. Volunteering with us can be fun and can motivate you to remain true to your ongoing cardiac fitness goals.

As a cardiovascular rehab volunteer you will support cardiovascular rehabilitation patients, family members and staff by providing a safe, friendly, environment that encourages our patients to follow their therapists’ prescriptions and improve their personal fitness. Your experience as a cardiovascular rehab patient will allow you to relate to patients in a more empathetic manner.

Your commitment

All cardiovascular rehab volunteers are asked to commit to one year of service. This does not mean that you are prohibited from periodic personal or business appointments that prevent you from attending your shift.

Cardiovascular rehab volunteers are asked to work one two to three hour shift per week. Our goal is to provide between two and four volunteers per shift depending upon class size.

Who we are looking for

In order to join our volunteer team, you must be:

• A graduate of the program and have the approval of your therapist
• Friendly without being intrusive, empathetic but firm and organized while remaining flexible in dynamic situations.
• Comfortable in a clinical setting
• Able to take direction from the therapists in your class
• Comfortable in a team environment, but able to work alone when necessary

If that sounds like you and you want to join our growing team, speak to your exercise therapist or please call 1-855-448-5471 or 416-281-7022. A member of the cardiovascular rehab program can put you in touch with a volunteer convener who can review where/when we could use your help; provide you with more details on the process and requirements for becoming a volunteer; and give you the necessary paperwork.