The North Shore Cardiovascular Education Centre provides exercise, education and support for people with heart disease, and those recovering from heart surgery or a heart event. Programs are part-funded by the North Shore Heart Research Foundation.
This nationally recognised centre is based at Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital.
On this page: Cardiac rehab · Who can take part? · Research and funding · Sharing the benefits · Working with health professionals
|
Saving costs, and saving lives
'The Centre saves and improves lives, no question. And by keeping people from returning to hospital, it frees up precious hospital resources. Your support dollar couldn't be more effectively spent.' Dr John Gunning, Head of Cardiology, Royal North Shore Hospital
|
Cardiac rehabilitation program
The program has two main components: exercise, and lifestyle education.
Through guided weekly sessions, patients gain:
- greater confidence and the ability to exercise
- practical information and advice on a healthy lifestyle and recovery
- ways to manage cardiac disease and risk factors, for improved heart health.
Who can take part?
Participants are patients of Royal North Shore Hospital, or have been referred from hospitals or medical centres in other areas. The programs are available to all patients with a cardiac condition, or people with risk factors for heart disease.
|
'Attending rehab helped me get back on my feet a lot quicker than I would have otherwise. They start you off very slowly, and by the time you get out of there it's a "dancing in the streets" kind of thing. It's fantastic.' Read this story |
Research
Current research topics at the Centre include medication, smoking, and weight management for diabetics with heart disease.
Funding
The Centre's costs are covered by the North Shore Heart Research Foundation, Royal North Shore Hospital, and voluntary contributions from patients attending the programs.
Sharing the benefits
The Centre delivers heart-health education to the local community and Australia-wide.
Team members closely observe the experience of their clients, and use this knowledge to tailor the program to individual needs. Their methods are taken to other treatment centres around Australia, bringing benefit to a far bigger community of heart-disease sufferers and their physicians.
The Centre has recently joined up with local gyms to offer exercise options for people with complex health problems.
Working with health professionals
Hospitals, cardiologists, physicians and general practitioners refer patients to the Centre. There are also close ties with health services such as Royal North Shore Hospital's Diabetes Education Centre, Stroke Unit, Hypertension Unit and Occupation Therapy Unit.
