Did you know that according to Stats Canada, 1 in 12 Canadians over the age of 20 have been diagnosed with heart disease? That means nearly 2.6 million people across Canada live with this condition. Although there is a high prevalence of heart disease across the country, there are actions you can take to help prevent or manage it. One resource provided by the Thunder Bay Regional Health Science Centre is the Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Program.
It can be overwhelming or difficult to recover from a heart attack or other cardiac-related event. It is not uncommon for patients to not know where to start when it comes to heart health. The Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Program includes a team of various health care professionals who will provide personalized strategies, education and support to suit all patient needs. It is a structured program developed to help individuals manage their condition, lower the risk of future heart-related events and support a healthier, more independent lifestyle. The program offers a comprehensive approach through education, guided exercise, and personalized counseling in nutrition and mental well-being. It also emphasizes the importance of understanding risk factors while encouraging participants to stay active, maintain a healthy diet, quit smoking and effectively manage stress. The 16-week hybrid program allows both virtual and in-person sessions to help suit the needs of each individual in an effort to promote patient and family-centered care.
A physician referral is required for consideration for participation in the program. However, it does not guarantee acceptance. Each referral is reviewed by a staff member and will be accepted or rejected based on certain criteria. Once the referral is reviewed and accepted, patients are contacted and given information about the program. They are then booked for a nursing intake, a doctor assessment and orientation. Patients are able to attend the exercise program once or twice a week over 16 weeks under the supervision of a kinesiologist and a nurse. They will also have the opportunity to attend education sessions and speak with a dietitian and social worker.
For general questions about the Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Program, please call the program directly at (807) 684-6780.
Another local resource available to anyone looking to improve their heart health is the Motion in Action (MIA) program offered by Curans Heart Centre. Its main objective is to serve participants of all ages, genders, and physical limitations and to encourage living a healthier and longer life through movement. The program focuses on exercise, education and social interaction. With weekly 1-hour exercise sessions to help improve strength, balance, flexibility and cardiovascular endurance. Educational opportunities on a variety of health topics, including monthly talks. While also promoting social interactions to enhance peer support, emotional well-being and adherence/enjoyment of the exercise routine.
If you are interested in learning more about the MIA program, please contact them at (807) 345-3355.
For all questions related to heart health, please visit https://northernhearts.org/ or follow Northern Hearts on Facebook and Instagram (@NorthernHeartsThunderBay), where you can find a new posting each week.
Submitted by Lana Ryder-Methot, Program Coordinator for Northern Hearts