A homegrown cardiac rehab program sets the global standard
UHN is reaching more patients in Canada and beyond
“Our goal is that more people benefit from this kind of life-saving service, wherever they are,”
After heart surgery or a heart attack, cardiac rehabilitation is a key part of recovery.
Structured cardiac rehab programs offer a combination of exercise, education and emotional support – proven to greatly reduce the risk of death from a subsequent heart event or stroke.
Expanding access to more Ontarians
But uneven access to cardiac rehab is a challenge worldwide, despite cardiovascular disease being the second-highest cause of death in Canada and the leading cause of death globally.
UHN’s Toronto Rehab is recognized as an international leader in cardiac rehab care. Now, donor support is helping UHN address the urgent need for cardiac rehab programs in Northern Ontario, with an approach that could help other regions offer access to this life-saving care, too.
Positive health outcomes – and a community of support
After welcoming cardiologists from North Bay to study the curriculum at Toronto Rehab, UHN teams tailored the model to the unique needs of the community. In 2025, UHN supported the launch of North Bay’s own cardiac rehab program.
Through the incredible support of donors, patients who travel to Toronto for surgery or interventions can now return home to their families and loved ones while receiving the resources and specialized care they need for recovery.
One North Bay resident who participated in the program admitted that he had been told many times to get active by doctors and friends, but it wasn’t until he was enrolled in this new cardiac rehab program that he found himself improving and maintaining healthy habits. Other participants said they were surprised at how much they learned and they really appreciated the strong sense of community they’ve built with others.
Sharing UHN’s standard of excellence with the world
After successfully building a sustainable, community-owned model, UHN now plans to publish and share the program’s outcomes worldwide, building a global base to help guide countries facing similar challenges in remote or underserved regions.
