Cardiac Rehab
The Heart Care Cardiac Rehab is the only on site Cardiologist supervised program in the Durham region.
“Cardiac Wellness Centre” has a multidisciplinary –multi Institutional team of Cardiologists from Lakeridgehealth, Oshawa Clinic and Cardiac Surgeons of Toronto General Hospital.
Our team of experienced professionals include:
Cardiologist
Cardiac Nurse
Kinesiologist
Lifestyle Councellor
Psychologist
The Rehab team works together with your own family doctor, internist, cardiologist, pharmacist.
Our Cardiac Prevention and Rehabilitation program has short term and long term goals for patients with various heart conditions. The short term goals include physical reconditioning to achieve their maximum level of fitness to resume normal activities, education of patient and famliy about the disease process and psychological support during the early recovery phase of the illness.
The long term goals include identifying and treating risk factors which influence progression of disease, teaching and reinforcing the health behaviors that improve prognosis, optimizing physical conditioning and facilitating a return to occupational and pleasure activities.
Recommended for persons:
After Heart Attack, Angina
After Coronary Bypass surgery or Angioplasty and Stent insertion
Stable congestive heart failure
Other disabling heart conditions
It is easy to enroll in the Cardiac rehab program. One can be referred by his family doctor, specialist and health care professionals, disability insurance professionals or even self referral. Patients usually start one week after referral.
SELF REFERRAL INTAKE FORM
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Full assessment by a Cardiologist
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Baseline Risk Stratification, Treadmill stress test and cardiac risk factor evaluation
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Review of Medication
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Assessment by Kinesiologist
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Assessment by Cardiac Nurse
Most patients can start exercise program 4-8 weeks after heart attack or cardiac surgery.
Acute Phase: 2-4 months
Maintenance Phase: six month exercise program at Heart Care facility.
Education: On going by the Cardiac Nurse with each visit. Regular semi-formal sessions conducted by Cardiologist and Life-style Councellor, open to patient and family. Topics cover the understanding of the heart disease process, medications, cholestrol, high blood pressure, stress and life-style change.
“We want our patients to start as soon as possible” says Dr. Rakesh Bhargava, Cardiologist and Director of Heart Care. “Delays in joining Cardiac Rehab after attack and Surgery increases the patients risk period and delays return to good health and life style.
When choosing a Rehab program, patient should ask:
Is there a dedicated Cardiologist directly involved with the program?
Is there direct access to your health records on site?
Level of monitoring and supervision.
Is your Cardiac history accessible to supervising health care team? On computer? Is there direct access to your hospital records?
Visit different programs before signing up.
There are others cardiac rehab programs in Durham region, please check them out. All programs are covered by OHIP and are at no cost to the patients. You should join the one most suited to you.
We welcome all patients to visit Heart Care Cardiac Rehab program. Our program is the only one in Durham region with on site cardiologists, ECG facilities, electronic medical records, and your medical records at Lakeridge Health Corporations.
Call Today
905.721.1999