Windsor-Essex Cardiac Rehab Program

Description:

The Cardiac Rehab Program is located in the basement of the University of Windsor's Human Kinetic's Department building. It is a medically monitored exercise (including yoga, Qi Gong) and aqua fitness program for persons with physician approval who have or at risk of cardiovascular health conditions.

Your Responsibilities:

• Take blood pressures of participants before exercise begins.
• Take the radial pulse of each participant before exercise begins (measure the heart rate, quality, regularity of rhythm)
• Teach (educate) clients on how to take their own radial pulse and what to measure, feel, rate, quality of pulse and the regularity.
• Take the apical pulse of each participant once semester - assures that an assessment was done at the onset of the program.
• Take the blood pressure on both arms once a semester - assures that an assessment was done at the onset of the program.
• Auscultate the chest of participants once a semester or as needed (if participant is short of breath, coughing, experiencing breathing problems).
• Take oxygen saturation levels prior to, during and post exercise.
• Take the height, weight of the participant once a semester and calculate the BMI and what the number means and what the participant can do to reach the optimal BMI.
• Assist with fit testing.
• Walk the track with participants.
• Come prepared to this program with running shoes, comfortable clothing, own stethoscope and ID.

Learning Opportunities:

• Observe the benefits of physical activity.
• Work with individuals to increase self management of health problems.
• Become familiar with the resources available to support and meet the needs of participants interested in heart health.
• Identify the local and provincial resources available to educate clients/caregivers about heart health.

Required Readings:

• Heart and Stroke Foundation's Physical Activity Guides and printed materials and online resources.
• Medline Plus - cardiac disease, tests and procedures.
• Public Health Agency of Canada's Physical Activity Recommendations for Adults.

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