Cardiac Prevention & Rehabilitation

Heart Function Clinic

The program is designed to meet the ongoing needs of patients with advanced congestive heart failure. A team consisting of a physician, registered nurse, pharmacist, and registered dietitian work together to provide detailed assessment, treatment, and education. Most patients visit the clinic every three to four months. The goal is to improve patients’ quality of life by providing information and support that allow them to manage their own health.  Patients must be hospital in-patients, or referred through a cardiologist.

More Information & Hours of Operation
Tel: 905-895-4521, ext. 2116
Fax: 905-853-2211

HeartWorks

HeartWorks, an essential part of Southlake’s Cardiac Care Program, consists of several specialized services designed to improve overall heart health in individuals, who are at risk of or who suffer from heart disease. A physician’s referral is required in order to participate in any HeartWorks program.

• 24-Hour Blood Pressure Monitoring
  This service provides valuable information for patients with elevated blood pressure and fluctuating blood pressure readings; and it also helps to rule out white coat syndrome. Patients wear the blood pressure cuff for 24 hours with valves measured every half-hour during the day and every hour overnight. A report is generated and sent back to the referring physician.
  
  

  Appointments may be booked Monday to Friday
  Cost: $50.00

• Cardiac Pre-Hab
  The Cardiac Pre-Hab Program offers education and a supervised exercise program to individuals who are waiting to receive cardiac surgery. Individuals who attend a pre-surgery program are known to recover and heal faster after their surgery.
  
  
• Cardiac Rehabilitation
  The aim of this program is to assist individuals with heart disease or those at high risk of heart disease to develop heart healthy lifestyles. Our multidisciplinary team is made up of cardiologists, registered nurses, kinesiologists, dietitians, a social worker, and a pharmacist. Each patient attends an hour-long, one-on-one intake/orientation session where the patient’s history is obtained, and questions are answered. Prior to starting the program, each patient is assessed during a treadmill stress test which determines the patient’s current functional capacity and is the basis for his/her exercise prescription.  Participants attend these exercise sessions twice weekly, where they are monitored and supported by our healthcare team through the progression of activity. A comprehensive education program dealing with healthy eating, risk factors, stress management, and cardiac medication is provided in group sessions which are two hours long and runs weekly for four weeks. Patients also have the option of meeting one on one with a dietitian or  social worker.
  
  Cost: $80.00
  
  Orientation Evening
  Individuals enrolled in the program are strongly recommended to attend a two-hour orientation evening. In the first hour, participants learn more about the rehab program and have the opportunity to ask questions. The second hour is an education session entitled “Knowing Your Heart.”
  
  Intake Clinic
  Prior to starting the exercise portion of the program, patients are required to attend an Intake Clinic appointment. During this appointment, a nurse will assess patients’ cardiac history, current health status, and conduct a risk factor review. A cardiologist will speak with them and monitor them on the treadmill. In addition, a stress test will be conducted to determine their current level of activity. Participants are asked to bring their medications with them in their original containers and wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes.
  
  Exercise & Education Program
  A kinesiologist designs a personal exercise program for each participant that matches his/her abilities and needs, and monitors and adjusts his/her  progress throughout the program.
  
  Education sessions are provided by other members of the healthcare team, and include topics on understanding how the heart works, the difference between heart attacks and angina, risk factors for heart disease, choosing heart healthy foods, reading food labels, understanding and managing stress, common heart medications, and many more. Partners are welcomed to attend.
  
  Cost: $ 50.00
  Each patient receives a binder of information and a stopwatch.
  
  
• Hypertension Clinic
  The focus of this clinic is to assist individuals with hypertension on how to manage and improve their readings. At each visit, a registered nurse and a nephrologist will assess the patient. The focus is to achieve target blood pressure through education and medical treatment, and to assess whether further investigations are required. Medication can be initiated and/or titrated and further investigations may be ordered.
  
  
• Lipid Clinic
  This clinic provides comprehensive education, medical treatment, and follow-up care for patients with elevated and/or difficult to treat cholesterol or triglyceride levels. Patients undergo a risk stratification, base-line assessment, and a registered nurse offers some health information. A dietitian provides a one-on-one session on the patient’s dietary habits and answers any questions that may arise.  In some circumstances, the physician will prescribe or adjust lipid-lowering medications to assist clients in reaching their optimal lipid levels.

For more information about any of theses services, please call:
Tel: 905-895-4521, ext. 2798
Fax: 905-830-5980

HeartyParty.com

Southlake Regional Health Centre is the lead agency for HeartyParty.com — a division of the York Region Heart Health Program. It is a group of health partners dedicated to helping the residents of York Region get the most out of life by eating well, exercising, avoiding smoking, and reducing stress.

For information on resources available to you during your hospital visit or stay (for example: parking, what to bring, discharge times and other helpful information) please click on Patients and Visitors.