How Does it Work?

Cardiac rehabilitation is a four-month program consisting of four main components:

• Evaluation. A thorough evaluation helps your health care team assess your physical abilities, medical limitations, psychological factors, other existing conditions, and risk factors you may have for cardiovascular diseases such as stroke or high blood pressure. These findings help tailor a program to your individual needs, making sure it's safe and effective.
• Physical activity. Bed rest is no longer recommended if you have heart problems—it won't improve your condition. Cardiac rehabilitation improves your cardiovascular fitness through walking, cycling, rowing...or other endurance activities. You may also do strength training to increase your muscular fitness. Don't worry if you've never exercised. Your team will make sure the program moves at a pace you're comfortable with.
• Lifestyle education. Guidance about diet and nutrition helps you shed excess weight and learn to make healthier food choices aimed at reducing fat, sodium and cholesterol. You receive tips on breaking unhealthy habits, such as smoking. You also learn how to manage the pain or fatigue that may accompany your heart condition. And we can answer your questions about such issues as medications and sexual activity.
• Support. Adjusting to a serious health problem takes time. You may experience depression or anxiety, lose touch with your social support system, or have to stop working for awhile. Counseling and support shows you healthy ways to cope. During the program you may work with physicians, nurses, dietitians, exercise specialists, occupational therapists, pharmacists, behaviour counsellors and psychologists.

What will you get out of cardiac rehabilitation?

Although it may be difficult to start a rehabilitation program when you're not feeling well, it can help you through worry and anxiety as you return to an active lifestyle with the energy to enjoy life. You gain strength, learn heart-healthy behaviour, improve your diet, cut bad habits and perhaps even expand your social horizons as you meet others who've gone through similar experiences.

Studies show cardiac rehabilitation can improve your quality of life and help you live longer, but often the most valuable benefits  are simply feeling healthier and happier than before.

What will you do during the program?

Following your evaluation, you will attend three weekly education classes, followed by an exercise session for the first month. Continuing classes, contact with the staff and access to the facility thoughout the program enables you to exercise in a safe, supportive environment. Spouses or partners are welcome to attend the first month of education classes. A special Heart Healthy Partners exercise pass is available.

What is the cost?

The patient fee for the program is $225.00 +GST. Subsidies are available. Many insurance programs cover the patient fees for cardiac rehabilitation.

For more on the benefits of Cardiac Rehabilitation visit:

• Cdn Association of Cardiac Rehabilitation
• Cdn Cardiac Rehabilitation Foundation
• Heart & Stroke Foundation
• Manitoba Cardiac Institute (Reh-Fit Center)
• Manitoba Cardiac Sciences Program
• Winnipeg Regional Health Authority

For Professionals

A note for physicians and healthcare professionals in Winnipeg:

Referral to Cardiac Rehabiltiation is a standard part of the MI Care Map for the Winnipeg Region. Automatic referral is also part of the Cardiac surgery pathway. Encouraging your patients to attend Cardiac Rehab will help them take positive steps to prevent further illness and complications. Please feel free to download the Referral Form and fax to 694-2712.