Adding years to your life
How can you add years to your life? Join Toronto Rehab’s cardiac rehabilitation program. Our team of specialists will develop an individualized program of exercise and education to help improve your cardiovascular strength and fitness, and reduce your chance of having another cardiac event.
We have one of the largest outpatient cardiac rehab programs on the continent. More than 30,000 people have walked or jogged across our athletic tracks since 1968. Today, we see close to 1,600 people a year who are recovering from heart disease, cardiac surgery and documented risk factors such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
At Toronto Rehab you will find the motivation and support you need to adjust to life changes after a cardiac event. Our supervised exercise classes and educational seminars will show you how to re-introduce exercise into your life, choose heart healthy foods, and teach you about heart disease and rehabilitation so that you can lead a healthy lifestyle.
The rehabilitation process begins with your arrival. The first step is to complete a cardiopulmonary exercise assessment (heart and lungs) to establish a baseline measure of your cardiovascular fitness. The results allow us to develop a safe exercise–training program tailored to your abilities.
Who benefits from cardiac rehabilitation?
Anyone with a history of:
- heart attack
- cardiac surgery
- angioplasty
- angina or congestive heart failure
- individuals at high risk of coronary artery disease
- type II diabetes
If you have any of the conditions above, ask your physician to refer you to Toronto Rehab’s cardiac rehabilitation program.
Simply print the referral form and ask your physician to refer you to Toronto Rehab.
Your program
Your exercise program is 12 months in length and is personalized to your needs and abilities. Cardiac specialists work closely with you to help you achieve your rehabilitation goals.
Supervised exercise classes are held once a week. You will be expected to carry out your exercise program on your own four more times a week at home. We offer convenient daytime and evening class times.
Each class consists of a:
- lecture and discussion
- question and answer session
- personalized exercise program
- warm–up and stretching routine
Not only do we want to get your heart back in shape, but we also want to reduce your risk of a subsequent cardiac event. We provide a resistance training program (handheld weights) that will help improve your muscle strength and endurance; one–to–one counselling sessions with our psychologists and social worker that will help you to focus on your future; and our dietitians will provide you with the information you need to make heart healthy food choices.
In addition to exercise, our educational lecture series provides you with the information you need to adopt long–lasting changes in your life. Presentations cover topics related to heart hazards, medications, exercise, stress, and good nutrition. We also provide special evening lectures aimed specifically at women and members of your family.
A cardiopulmonary exercise assessment consists of:
- a medical and family history questionnaire that helps us to identify your cardiac risk factors
- a resting electrocardiogram (recording of the electrical activity of the heart — a simple, non-invasive procedure)
- body composition measurements (measures the percentage of fat in relation to your weight)
- a cardiopulmonary exercise assessment (on either a stationary bicycle or treadmill)
Your team
Our staff will challenge you to do your best while providing you with the necessary support to succeed in your program. Our interprofessional team consists of cardiac specialists, physicians, exercise physiologists, lab technicians, nurses, dietitians, psychologists, and social workers.
Your facilities
Designed for cardiac rehabilitation, our facility is the best in the city. Some of the features that make us unique:
- two 200-metre walk/job tracks — one indoor and one outdoor — that enable you to carry out your exercise routines year-round
- a gymnasium for pre-class warm–up, stretching and resistance training classes
- two on-site cardiopulmonary exercise assessment labs
- a 120-seat lecture theatre
- state–of–the–art cardiovascular training equipment
- men’s and women’s locker/shower facilities
- an attractive common area where you can meet and socialize with others
For more information, contact us.
A specialized service for adults living with diabetes
The Diabetes, Exercise and Healthy Lifestyle Service helps adults living with diabetes to improve their quality of life. It is offered through Toronto Rehab's Cardiac Rehabilitation & Secondary Prevention Program.
The Diabetes, Exercise and Healthy Lifestyle Service helps adults living with diabetes to improve their quality of life.
How will it help?
Our team of specialists will develop an individualized program of exercise and education to help you improve and control your diabetes and quality of life through fitness and a healthier lifestyle.
This program will help you:
- establish your own personalized exercise program
- adopt healthy eating habits
- lose weight if you need to
- understand how your medications work
What is the diabetes service like?
Your exercise program is six months in length. Exercise specialists work closely with you to help you achieve your goals. Supervised exercise classes are held twice a week. We offer convenient daytime and evening class times. Classes include education, question and answer sessions and a review of your personalized exercise program.
How do I register?
Ask your physician or health care professional working with you to manage your diabetes for more information and to complete a referral form to the service.
How do I register?
Ask your physician or health care professional working with you to manage your diabetes for more information and to complete a Toronto Rehab Diabetes Service Referral Form.
For more information about Toronto Rehab, contact us or download the Diabetes, Exercise and Healthy Lifestyle Program brochure.