The Women's Cardiovascular Health Initiative

The Women's Cardiovascular Health Initiative (WCHI), at Women's College Hospital, is Canada's first comprehensive assessment and lifestyle program for women with existing or potential heart problems. The program is comprised of a three-month primary prevention program for women with multiple risk factors and a six-month cardiac rehabilitation program for women with heart disease.

WCHI’s specialty programs include:

• identifying cardiovascular risks
• modifying those risks through education and risk factor management
• an innovative exercise facility and training program for women
• research on women and heart disease

Unique features of WCHI include:

• small group sessions (a maximum of eight women per group)
• a relaxed atmosphere in a safe and comfortable setting
• individual exercise programs for women to follow in class and at home
• personal reports on each woman's health status
• 'state-of-the-art' monitoring equipment
• hormone therapy (HT) counselling
• a support group, so women can meet others with similar health concerns
• a convenient downtown Toronto location

The Professionals

The multidisciplinary health-care team includes:

• cardiologists
• clinical nurse specialist/nurse practitioner
• dietitian
• physiotherapists
• kinesiologist
• social worker
• respiratory therapist
• pharmacist

Prevention and Education Plan

Women who would like an assessment of their personal risk factors complete a questionnaire. A meeting then takes place with a member of our team to review the assessment and plan any necessary risk factor changes. Depending on the results of the assessment, a Prevention and Education Plan or cardiac rehabilitation will be prescribed.

Women at high risk of cardiovascular disease may participate in a comprehensive prevention and education plan. This may include:

• a three-month exercise program
• nutrition education classes
• stress management counselling
• general lifestyle education

The Women's Cardiac Health Initiative offers exercise classes in a supportive, all-female setting, as part of its cardiovascular rehabilitation program.

Individual Cardiovascular Programs

For women with known cardiac disease, the team develops an individual program, which may include:

• exercise sessions – both supervised classes and exercise in everyday life
• nutrition counselling – guidelines for healthier eating
• smoking cessation therapy – strategies for quitting smoking
• stress management – one-to-one coaching on how to cope with stress and manage time
• support counselling – dealing with a variety of issues
• pharmacy counselling – understanding heart medications and how to take them
• cardiac education – to learn about cardiovascular health
• hormone therapy (HT) counselling – using a decision aid to help women evaluate the benefits and risks of HT
• support group – informal group discussions to encourage changes in behaviour that lead to better heart health

How We Operate

A doctor’s referral is required. WCHI charges a fee for programs that are not covered by OHIP. The fee includes a copy of the risk assessment and heart health education materials.

How to Reach Us

This program is wheelchair accessible.