Evening Cardiac Rehab Program at Etobicoke General Hospital increases access to care

A newly launched evening cardiac rehab program at Etobicoke General Hospital is further enhancing access to care in the community.

Once a week, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., a space in the lower level of the hospital’s west tower transforms into a pop-up gym and classroom where patients who have had a heart attack, angioplasty (stent), bypass surgery, valve replacement or heart transplant come to continue their recovery and improve their heart health.

The communities Osler serves have one of the largest burdens for cardiovascular disease in the country.

While the program is not new, when and where it is being offered is.

Giruthiga Sawh, Manager of Cardiac Rehab and Diagnostics at Osler, said the expansion was driven by the patient voice. “There was an ask directly from our patients for evening classes and for them to be held at the Etobicoke General site,” she said, noting the convenience for community members of the bus stop in front of the hospital.

Giruthiga said her team listened to what patients were telling them and, with the support of others across Osler, immediately took action—something that came as no surprise to her. “They are the most innovative and resilient group of people I’ve ever worked with. They’re so driven, so patient-focused, flexible, and always looking at how we can be better.”

The expanded program, which officially launched in mid January, will strengthen an already impactful service, providing more access to cardiac rehab care overall and filling a need for a changing patient population. “At one point, patients were all retired and now we see this transition where patients are a lot younger,” said kinesiologist Marc Davis, lead for Osler’s cardiac rehab. They want to be able to participate in the program and get back to work and move on with their life, so access to an evening program is very beneficial for them.”

The 12-week long program is a true team effort that includes cardiologists, kinesiologists, pharmacists, and dieticians, with equal emphasis on exercise and education. “I think a lot of times people come in hesitant and maybe don’t feel like they need education, but that changes when they learn the importance of stress management and diet to their ongoing heart health,” explains Osler kinesiologist Kristen Hoving.

There is also ample evidence that the positive impact of cardiac rehabilitation extends beyond the physical to a person’s mental well-being as well.

“There is a lot of value in connecting with someone who has gone through a similar journey,” explains Osler kinesiologist Adeola Giwa. “Because we have a rolling entry to the program, on the day a person starts they might meet someone who is almost finished the program and they can talk to each other and encourage each other…that emotional and social support that comes from being in a group setting where a person feels safe to share their experience and learn and grow is very important.”

The dedicated team is thrilled to be able to support this much-needed added resource and to spend more time doing what they love – helping people on their road to recovery.

“One of the best things about our job is the people and the opportunity to learn from their life experience. By the time they finish the program, you really see that this exponential growth and that sense from them that they will do well, that they have the tools they need to succeed,” said Marc. “Being about to offer this program at Etobicoke General and enhance access to care close to home in a timely manner is very fulfilling.”