Comox Physiotherapy Clinic
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Cardiac Rehabilitation Program

 

Cardiac Rehab

INTRODUCING our Cardiac rehabilitation Program for people who have experienced cardiac events or procedures, and those at risk for cardiovascular disease. 

 

What is the cardiac rehab & risk reduction program?

A specially-designed 10-week fitness program tailored to cardiac patients. This exercise-based program helps participants form habits to improve their cardiovascular fitness with movement such as walking, cycling, rowing, jogging, and resistance training, and also addresses mobility and stability. This program can help you develop a framework to make a difference in your quality of life, physical wellness, and healthy lifestyle. Participants are closely supervised and guided by an expert in Cardiac Rehab, a specially trained Physiotherapist who will tailor a cardiac rehabilitation program to your needs.

Long term benefits can include:

  • Improved strength

  • Weight management

  • Decreased risk of coronary artery disease & other heart conditions

  • Developing better tools to manage stress

  • Implementing or reinforcing heart-healthy habits, such as exercise & diet

  • Learning to cope with heart disease

  • Reduction in harmful habits, such as smoking

Don’t worry if you haven’t exercised in a while, or if you’ve never exercised before. Our physiotherapist, Iwona Gradowska, will ensure your program moves at a safe and comfortable pace.

 

Who can benefit from this program:

  • People who have experienced a cardiac event (heart attack, heart failure, peripheral artery disease, chest pain/angina, cardiomyopathy, some congenital heart diseases)

  • People who have had a cardiac procedure (coronary artery bypass surgery, angioplasty & stents, heart valve repair or replacement)

  • People at risk for developing coronary artery disease or another metabolic disease

You may be referred by your physician or specialist, but a referral is not required. You are welcome to join us!

 

What to expect:

This program begins with a one-on-one visit with our specially trainer physiotherapist to discuss your goals for the program and assess your individual needs, including your physical abilities, medical limitations, and any other conditions you may have. Together, we will look at tour risk factors for complications, particularly during exercise. After this visit, you can join the group classes for either a 10-week program. You can choose to attend either once a week, or twice a week. There is also a 4 week sampler program, if you are unsure of participating in a group class.

Throughout the group classes, you can expect:

  • Monitoring of your blood pressure and heart rate

  • Safe & fun exercises for cardiovascular fitness and resistance training

  • Muscle-strengthening exercises, such as lifting weights

  • Mobility, flexibility, and stability exercises

  • Warm up & cool down

  • Ongoing evaluation to track your progress over time

One of the most valuable benefits of cardiac rehabilitation is often an improvement in your overall quality of life. If you stick with your cardiac rehab program, you may end up feeling better than before you had a heart condition or had heart surgery.


Investment:

If you have insurance coverage for physiotherapy, then you may be able to use your insurance to cover the costs of this program. We are able to direct bill for your initial appointment and will provide you with a receipt for each class to submit for reimbursement by your insurance provider. Please reach out to our front staff to find out more!

Pre-Program Assessment Visit (50-min): $140 *(required prior to starting any cardiac rehab program)

10-week program (2 sessions/week): $700 ($35/1-hour session)

10-week program (1 session/week): $350 ($35/1-hour session)

Other options:

4 weeks (2x/week): $280.00

DAYS & TIMES:

Mondays - 9:00AM or 10:10AM

Wednesdays - 2:00PM or 3:10PM

 

Our CARDIAC REHAB SPECialist:

IWONA Gradowska, MPT

Iwona is an internationally trained physiotherapist who recently moved to the Comox Valley. Born and raised in Poland, she gained her professional experience not only in her homeland, but also in England, Spain, Portugal, and Canada. She has a special interest in cardiac rehabilitation, but also has experience in working with neurological patients, long-term care residents, and athletes with mental and physical disabilities.

Iwona values lifelong learning, and this is what has led her to master several foreign languages, participate in international student exchanges, and work as a lecturer for physiotherapy students. Iwona was also involved in research projects related to the use of interactive video games in cardiac rehabilitation. Taking part in the 2019 World Confederation for Physical Therapy Congress in Switzerland was her favourite scientific experience, where together with over 4000 physiotherapists from all over the world, Iwona attended presentations from some of the best physiotherapy practitioners in the field.

Iwona believes that education is the key to a better future and that everyone should have access to it. To her, education lies at the core of every physiotherapy session, together with individually tailored exercise programs. Iwona eagerly shares her knowledge and skills with others, and this is why she is also passionate about humanitarian work and volunteering. She takes joy in empowering and inspiring others to do their best.

Iwona had spent 10 years playing basketball on a national level. After finishing her career as an athlete, she fell in love with Afro-Brazilian dances. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, travelling, cooking, meeting up with friends, and learning the secrets of herbal medicine.

Education & Training:

Iwona graduated with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy degree from the Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Poland, in 2014. She then continued her studies at the same university, where she received her Master of Physiotherapy degree, in 2017. Iwona has worked in hospital settings, private clinics, and in a long-term care facility. In addition, she has volunteer experience in adaptive sports such as wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball. She participated in professional development courses in geriatric, cardiac, and respiratory physiotherapy.