Women and Heart Health
Heart disease is the number one killer of women in Canada.
Yet, women are less likely to be monitored for important risk factors such as high blood pressure and cholesterol.
They are also less likely to participate in cardiac rehabilitation programs after a heart attack or surgery – even though it reduces their risk of dying from another cardiac event by 50 per cent.
A Program Specially for Women
Women with Heart is a unique program for women who are at risk or have had a cardiac event.
The six-month program improves cardiac strength and fitness. It also helps women make long-lasting lifestyle changes to reduce their chance of future heart problems.
Special features include:
- small “women only” classes
- alternative types of exercise
- an emphasis on social support, including an optional women’s peer support group
- education specific to women’s needs and concerns, including our Women with Heart seminar series.
Providing a Safe, Personalized Program
Our program is personalized to help women achieve their goals safely. The program includes:
- a cardiopulmonary (heart and lungs) exercise assessment to establish baseline heart fitness. The results are used to develop a safe exercise program matched to each person’s abilities.
- exercise class once a week that includes aerobic (walking) and resistance (weight-training) exercises
- exercising at home four times a week. Individuals keep an exercise diary.
- interactive education sessions to support lifestyle changes that last
- one-to-one counseling with a psychologist, social worker and dietician
- support from friendly, skilled professionals, and
- peer support to provide motivation.
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.