Prevention, Education & Cardiovascular Rehabilitation
ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR HEART?
Cardiovascular Rehab can help
Cardiac Health Foundation Of Canada
901 Lawrence Ave. W. Suite 306
Toronto, Ontario M6A 1C3
Telephone: 416-730-8299
Fax: 416-730-0421
[email protected]
www.CardiacHealth.ca
www.WalkOfLife.ca
Prevention, Education & Cardiovascular Rehabilitation
Cardiac Health Foundation Of Canada is a
charitable organization dedicated to supporting
cardiovascular rehabilitation and the advocacy
of prevention and education across Canada.
CARDIOVASCULAR REHABILITATION
PROGRAM
If you have had a cardiovascular event, or if you have 3 or more of the following risk
factors for cardiovascular disease, ask your doctor for a referral to a Cardiovascular
Rehab Centre near you.
•
High blood pressure
•
•
High cholesterol
•Obesity
•
Family history of heart disease
•
•Smoking
Unhealthy diet
Cardiovascular Rehab is designed for people who have experienced a cardiovascular
event, such as a heart attack or stroke, or are born with congenital heart disease.
The program encourages patients to make lifestyle adjustments, such as diet, exercise
and taking cholesterol-lowering medications according to directions in order to reduce
the risks of subsequent heart attacks and death from other causes. To participate in
a Cardiovascular Rehab program you must have a physician referral.
Benefits of Cardiovascular Rehab:
•
Improves exercise ability and strength
•
Decreases cardiovascular morbidity
•
Improves psychosocial well-being
and reduces stress
•
Reduces blood glucose and blood
fat levels
Physical inactivity
•Diabetes
CHOLESTEROL AND HEALTHY LIVING
According to Statistics Canada, approximately 40% of Canadian adults are classified as
having high blood cholesterol levels. High blood cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart
disease and stroke. By lowering your cholesterol, you can dramatically reduce your risk of
cardiovascular disease.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM A CARDIOVASCULAR
REHABILITATION PROGRAM
Cardiovascular Rehab includes practical information and personalized guidance on
exercises, diet and lifestyle changes to help you recover, rebuild your strength and
reduce your risk of heart disease.
The Canadian Cardiovascular Society treatment guidelines recommend cholesterol
screening if you:
Exercise: Your first appointments will include a program orientation and an exercise
“stress” test to gauge your fitness level and help guide the development of your
personalized exercise program.
•
Are male and over 40 years of age
•
Subsequent exercise sessions will include:
•
Are female and over 50 years of
age and/or post-menopausal
Have diabetes or high blood
pressure
•
Warm up
•Stretching
•
Are overweight or obese
•
Are a smoker
Aerobic exercise – treadmill, walking
and stationary cycle
•
•
•
Have a family history of heart
disease or stroke
•
Cool down
•
Ethnic groups (i.e., First Nations or
South Asian) are at increased risk,
and consideration should be given
to screening at an earlier age
DID YOU KNOW?
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), a genetic disease, causes early heart attacks. Heterozygous
FH, the most common form, affects approximately 1 in 500 Canadians, and as many as 1 in 270
French Canadians. In Canada, 90% of people with FH have not been properly diagnosed.​
May also include resistance training –
light weights, stretchy bands, rowing
machines and stretching
Diet: You will meet with a dietitian who will guide you on how to incorporate healthy
choices into your diet to reduce your intake of foods that may contribute to heart disease.
Lifestyle changes: Your care team will provide you with personalized guidance on how
to make healthier diet and lifestyle choices, including smoking cessation and becoming
more active.
For more information about Cardiovascular Rehab
or for additional copies of this brochure, call
416-730-8299 or e-mail [email protected]