Recovering from a heart event can be difficult, and part of that difficulty is making lifestyle changes and getting fit to prevent further heart problems. A new cardiac rehabilitation program in the city aims to help people who are at risk of a heart event recover prevent further problems.
Cara Murray, a Registered Nurse who works with the program, says that the goal is to help people with heart problems, including those who have had heart attacks, stints, open heart bypasses, valve problems or people at risk of heart disease.
"We run this program to reduce the risk of further heart events, and help them recover from their heart events," Murray says.
The program runs twice a week, and involves exercises to help participants get fit, including walking, weight lifting, stretching and other activities. The participants' blood pressure and general health is monitored, and a heart monitor and defibrillator are present in case of emergency.
The program reduces the risk of further heart events by 26 per cent, Murray says, making participation a healthy step for those involved.
The program began in May, and is now on its second group of people. There are currently 20 participants in the program, and Murray says having a program like this in the area is vital to getting to participate.
"It makes them more likely to do it, there wasn't a lot of people who were staying in Regina twice or three times a week for the program."
"This is a supervised exercise, there is a registered nurse here at all times, and an exercise therapist can make the exercise specific to each person... People feel safe to come, sometimes after a heart event people are nervous to start exercising again. They're scared they might have chest pain or another heart event, so it's a safe way to exercise. The peer support here is great, people talk to each other about their experiences," Murray adds.
The program also teaches people about diet and exercise, and keeps track of their health during and after. Murray says that it's about helping people recover.
Len Kennedy, one of the participants, was referred by his doctor after an angiogram. He says that it is an excellent program.
"I've learned a lot of things about diet, things that I need to prepare for, and lifestyle changes... You meet others that are facing the same experiences you are, and you're not alone," Kennedy says.
People who need the program are encouraged to speak to their doctors, as a referral is necessary to join. Otherwise, the program is free, apart from he cost of using the Gallagher Centre's walking track.
The program is sponsored by The Health Foundation, which paid for the equipment used. Ross Fisher, executive director of The Health Foundation, says that it's the kind of program they like to support, as it brings a new service to the area, and one that has the potential to save lives.
