Cardiovascular prevention and rehabilitation is an important part of the journey back to wellness after a cardiovascular event. People identify and learn to manage their cardiac risk factors, improve quality of life and fitness, and learn more information to successfully recover from a heart procedure or surgery.
The purpose of the Canadian Women’s Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Heart Hub is to connect women with the Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) programming that is right for them.
- What is Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation?
- Importance of Cardiac Rehabilitation for Women
- Online Cardiac Rehabiliation Directory
- Resources for Patients
What is Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation?
Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) is an outpatient health and wellness program to support people following heart diagnoses (e.g., heart attack, heart failure, rhythm and valve issues) and procedures (e.g., stents, heart bypass and valve surgery).
People are provided with education and coaching support to optimize their:
- Self-management of their cardiac risk factors (nutrition, tobacco use, exercise, medication adherence)
- Physical function and well-being (e.g., stress, anxiety/depression, sleep, and social relations) to enhance quality of life.
This support may be offered virtually (online or telephone) or in-person, and may be conducted individually (one-on-one), in a group, or a combination of both.
CR programs are delivered by a team of experts to support you in your recovery which can include physicians, nurses, dietitians, exercise specialists and mental health care providers.
You will complete an initial assessment with the team and will then be involved in the development of a personalized, comprehensive program that can include the following components:
- Nutrition
- Exercise
- Psychosocial counseling
- Education
- Other (as personalized to you)
Programs can vary in duration and frequency, with most programs offering weekly classes lasting 3-6 months.
Check with your provider within your community to see if you qualify, as eligibility can vary by program. Visit our online directory below (coming soon) for more details.
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"I recommend every woman who has a heart event invest in themselves and complete the available Cardiac Rehab. Rehab gave me self confidence to work with my improved heart as well as learn to adjust to my new limitations. It provided me with a group environment to learn and become more than my cardiac disease.” - Christina Stuwe, triple bypass, heart thriver, Calgary, AB |
Importance of Cardiac Rehabilitation for Women
The following video clip features:
- Renee Buczel, a woman with lived experience speaking about her experience attending Cardiac Rehabilitation from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
- Prof. Sherry Grace, a leading expert in CR from York University and the University Health Network in Toronto discusses the importance of women participating in CR.
Online Cardiac Rehabilitation Directory
The intent of the CR directory is to increase awareness and establish connections for women living with cardiovascular disease to a chronic care program that meets their needs.
It is our hope that you will be automatically referred to a CR program. Discuss your referral to a CR program prior to your discharge. Be sure to follow up by communicating directly with your local CR program if you have not heard from them about your first appointment within a few weeks.
CR Programs included on this directory have been selected based on the following criteria:
- Based in Canada
- Cardiovascular disease focus
- The CR Program offers initial assessment, individualized exercise assessment and prescription and education for self-management of cardiovascular risk factors1.
DISCLAIMER: This directory is meant to connect women with cardiovascular disease to available programming. While we have applied review criteria when adding these programs and resources, how you choose to use these programs and resources will be at your own discretion.
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“Women benefit from encouragement, support and personalized attention in the cardiovascular rehabilitation program. Whether attending for prevention or after a heart event, women are encouraged to find balance in their health behaviours and prioritize their own health.” - Helena Van Ryn, PT, University of Ottawa Heart Institute |
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| Virtual Program | In-Person Program | Women Focused | Co-ed (Women & Men) | Fee | English & French | Self-Referral |
This interactive map provides an inventory of all Cardiac Rehabilitation programs across Canada.
Coming soon
Other Online Directories
If there is a program that you know about that is not listed on the map, please share it with us here:
Tell Us About Your Program (coming soon) >>
Your feedback is valuable to us to optimize the utility of this list. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at cwhhc@ottawaheart.ca.
Resources for Patients
- University Health Network’s Women with Heart Online (education)
- University of Ottawa Heart Institute’s Heartwise Webinars
- Canadian Association of Cardiovascular PRevention and Rehabilitation (CACPR) Cardiovascular Patient Education Tools
- Canadian Women’s Peer-Support Heart Hub
- Canadian Women’s Heart Health Alliance’s Multilingual Resources
- Cardiovascular Disease Educational Videos