In recognition of Heart Health Month this February, we’re highlighting Hearts in Motion, a 12-week cardiac rehabilitation program making a difference in Eastern Nova Scotia through Primary Health Care and Chronic Disease Management. Offered in Antigonish, Guysborough, Port Hawkesbury and Sherbrooke, this in-person program helps individuals at risk of or recovering from heart disease improve their overall well-being.
Run by a dedicated team of healthcare professionals including a physiotherapist, registered nurse and dietitian, Hearts in Motion provides comprehensive care to support recovery, manage vascular disease and reduce cardiovascular risk factors. The program is especially important for individuals with heart disease, including those recovering from bypass surgery, heart attacks, angina or atrial fibrillation.
Participants meet twice a week for supervised exercise sessions, using equipment like treadmills, resistance machines and free weights, and for educational sessions on topics like heart-healthy eating, stress management, goal setting and home exercise routines. Personalized assessments, including pre- and post-program lab work and monitoring of blood pressure and blood glucose levels, ensure that each participant’s progress is carefully tracked and supported.
Physiotherapist Aly Gillis, who joined the program last year, said Hearts in Motion has been life-changing for many participants, which is rewarding for the team. “A lot of people come in feeling unsure about exercising, especially after a surgery or diagnosis,” he said. “By the end, they’re more comfortable, confident and capable. They can often see a difference in their ability to manage daily tasks and household chores and they leave knowing what they can do and how to keep improving. For us, watching those benefits translate into their daily lives is incredibly rewarding.”
Aly also highlighted the social connections participants develop. “At the beginning of the program, most people don’t know each other, and they’re a little hesitant,” he said. “By the end, they’re sharing phone numbers, forming walking groups, and supporting each other. That social aspect is really important and makes the program even more meaningful.”
Currently, Hearts in Motion is offered in four communities across Eastern Zone with plans to possibly expand. “We’re working on making the program available to more communities,” Aly said. “It’s exciting to think about how many more people will be able to benefit from what we’re doing.”
To join the Hearts in Motion program, individuals need a referral from a healthcare professional, though it doesn’t necessarily have to come from a family doctor. “Any healthcare provider within someone’s circle of care can send a referral,” Aly said. “If people are unsure about how to get started, they can contact us directly, and we’ll guide them through it.”
For more information or to refer a patient, contact the program by phone at 902-863-7192 or 902-863-7193, or by fax at 902-863-7194.
As we celebrate Heart Health Month, programs like Hearts in Motion remind us of the importance of taking proactive steps to care for our hearts. With its holistic approach to cardiac rehabilitation, this program offers more than improved health. It helps participants build confidence, form connections, and develop tools that can make a lasting difference.
Photo of (L-R) Kirsten Wright, administrative assistant; Kyla Neary Griffiths, registered nurse; Lorraine Bonnar, registered dietitian; Dr. Amy Hendricks, medical director and Aly Gillis, physiotherapist.
