Heart Failure, Exercise and Education

Heart failure (known as Congestive Heart Failure) is a condition in which the heart can’t pump enough blood throughout the body. People with heart failure are often tired and short of breath. Fluid also builds up in their feet, ankles and legs.

The Heart Failure Exercise and Education program helps people living with heart failure improve their quality of life.

The six-month program is designed for anyone with heart failure. Some participants may be able to walk several blocks without difficulty. Other people may be short of breath after just a few steps.

 

Providing a Safe, Personalized Program

Our interprofessional health care team provides all participants with individualized care and support.

Participants begin the program with a cardiopulmonary exercise assessment. This measures their baseline heart fitness. Based on their needs and abilities, the team
creates a personalized program of exercise and education.

Participants attend one supervised exercise class a week at our Rumsey Centre. Each class consists of:

• a warm-up and stretching routine
• aerobic (walking) and resistance training (hand held weights)
• an interactive education session, and
• peer-to-peer support

Individuals are expected to carry out their own exercise program at home four more times a week. All participants keep a weekly diary to help them with their progress.
Exercise specialists work closely with participants to help them achieve their goals.

 

Additional Support for Lifestyle Changes

Participants may also receive one-to-one or group sessions with a psychologist or social worker to deal with issues such as depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, anger, and social and emotional issues.

Nutritional counselling is available on an individual or group basis.

Educational seminars and group discussions provide information to help participants understand and manage their disease. Topics covered include:

• understanding and managing heart failure
• sodium and heart failure, and
• psychological issues.

Getting Started

Your doctor must refer you to this program.  Ask your doctor to complete the referral form and fax it to (416) 425-0301.

 

Maintaining Heart Health

Heart health is lifelong commitment. To help program graduates maintain their lifestyle changes, Toronto Rehab offers the program Heart Health for Life presented by Scotiabank.