Urban Poling in Quebec!

We are thrilled to announce that Urban Poling is making its first real entry into the Quebec market place through the West Island Cardiac Rehab Program! This connection was fundamentally driven through our partnership with the Cardiac Health Foundation .

If you are in the area we invite you to join us for the West Island Cardiac Rehab Launch Event on Thursday April 30^th!  Please click here to see invitation.  All proceeds will go to the program, tax receipts will be provided.

Here is some additional information regarding the West Island Cardiac Rehab Program:

Mission:

Our main objective is to improve the fitness level and promote a heart healthy lifestyle in patients with coronary heart disease. Those who participate in our program will be equipped with the knowledge and skills required to take responsibility for their heart health with the goal of decreasing the risk of future cardiac events.  This program is offered in an atmosphere of support and encouragement, addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of recovery.

WHO?

Patients who have been diagnosed with coronary artery disease (angina, post heart attack, coronary bypass surgery, and angioplasty)

WHAT?

The west island cardiac wellness program is a customized program combining exercise and education on living an overall healthy lifestyle.

There are two main components to our program:

The Cardiac Education Program is a series of six sessions addressing the major risk factors for heart disease.  Each session is given by qualified health care professionals in the treatment and management of heart disease.  The program also includes a grocery store tour by a professional dietician as well as a heart healthy cooking class! These six sessions will be open to cardiac patients and their family members.

The exercise component of our program will consist of: Phase 3 and Phase 4 (maintenance) cardiac rehabilitation:

The goals are:

1. To help you regain strength
2. To provide the tools to help prevent your heart condition from getting worse.
3. To reduce the risk of any future health and especially heart problems.
4. To help you become independent in making exercise a continuous part of your life.

How will we help you to achieve these goals?

Participants will participate in 12-14 weekly exercise sessions supervised by an exercise physiologist (kinesiologist). During these classes, your blood pressure and heart rate will be closely monitored. Your mobility and range of motion and overall endurance will also be assessed at the start of the program. The goal will be to gradually increase your exercise tolerance and improve your functional mobility according to the exercise prescription of your treating physician.  Participants will be strongly encouraged to continue to be active on other days of the week and to maintain a weekly exercise journal.

With the excellent research results achieved by Nordic walking in regards to improving cardiovascular health, we are very pleased to be able to integrate this exercise model into our program and to have been given the opportunity to partner with Urban Poling on this innovative approach to cardiac rehabilitation!

Urban Poles will be used in place of treadmills and stationary bikes.

Patients will be provided with their own set Urban Poles at the start of the program and training on how to effectively use the poles will be included in the weekly classes!

WHERE?

The exercise rehab program will take place in a community centre in the west island.

The cardiac education program will take place in the community room of a local supermarket.

WHEN?

Sessions will begin soon! To register or for more information, please contact:   Agnes Cartier at                           514-799-6104 or wicwp@yahoo.com

Patients wishing to participate in the exercise/rehab program will require the following at the time of registration:

-Referral and consent from treating physician

– Results of a stress test (within the last six months post cardiac event and on current medications)

-Hospital discharge summary (recommended)

– Heart Rate Monitor (e.g. Polar Watch – may be available for purchase by program)

WHY?

Cardiac rehab can allow you to improve your quality of life by making you feel better than you did before your cardiac event.

This is your opportunity to feel as good as you can!

Proven Benefits of Cardiac Rehab (From the Cardiac Health Foundation of Canada)

• Improves exercise tolerance and strength
• Reduces blood fat levels
• Improves psychological well-being
• Improves quality of life
• Speeds ability to return to work
• Increases awareness of cardiac risk factors
• Reduces stress
• Decreases cardiovascular morbidity

Proven Benefits of Urban Poling:

• Lower resting heart rate
• Higher VO2 max
• Improved lipid profile
• Healthy weight management
• Lower total fat mass/decreased waist circumference
• Higher exercise tolerance

Thank you to our community partners and supporters:

• Cardiac Health Foundation of Canada
• Pointe-Claire Old Timers Hockey Association
• Lakeshore General Hospital Cardiology Department
• Maitre David Pecho
• Urban Poling Inc

West Island Cardiac Wellness Program Incorporated is a registered non-profit organization.  Donations made will help to ensure that this much needed program is accessible to all who could benefit.

Thank you for your generosity.

Charity registration number:  81637 0837 RR0001