Service offer in Cardiac Rehabilitation
Watch our video of previous participants' testimonial!
Take a look at our service offer pamphlet.
Program description:
The CIUSSS Centre Ouest Cardiac Rehabilitation Center (CCO-CRC) is a program with the goal of helping participants recover from a cardiac event and prevent further incidence. Participating in a cardiac rehabilitation program has shown to reduce the risk of another event by at least 25%. This is accomplished through exercise, education, and management of the heart disease and cardiovascular risk factors. Participants in the CCO-CRC program are guided through supervised exercise sessions with kinesiologists in order to gain confidence in their regular activities and to learn what they can do safely. Our multi-professional team also assists participants with:
- Integrating regular physical activity into their lifestyle
- Successfully returning to work
- Engaging in healthy eating habits
- Managing stress and anxiety
- Understanding medications
- Education on healthy lifestyle habits
Cost: Covered by RAMQ
Duration: 3-4 months
Where: Richardson Hospital
What to expect:
- Intake consultation with a Registered Nurse and Cardiologist to determine safety to participate in the program, and to manage cardiovascular risk factors
- Consultation with a Kinesiologist to assess level of fitness, and to prepare a customized exercise plan
- Consultation with a Dietitian to guide the participant with healthy nutrition choices
- On site supervised and/or virtual exercise sessions (12x), with gradual elaboration of a home program
- Educational content and workshops about cardiovascular health
- Consultation with a Psychologist, an Occupational therapist, a Physiotherapist, or a Social Worker according to need scrrened by the team
Our program is flexible and adapts to your needs. Majority of consultations can even be done virtually (videoconference or telephone) if ever recurrent visit to our center is a barrier for you.
Who can participate?
Any individual diagnosed with an acute coronary syndrome in the last 6 months. This includes:
- Stable or Unstable angina
- Myocardial Infarctus (heart attack)
- Coronary angioplasty with or without stent
- Coronary artery bypass graft surgery
Patients treated at the Jewish General Hospital, at the McGill University Health Center and those followed by a cardiologist located in the CIUSSS Centre-Ouest territory are eligible for the program.
How to be referred in the program ?
Referrals can be sent directly from the discharge team at the hospital with necessary documents (see referral form). It is also possible to be referred from your cardiology clinic. Our referral form must be completed by either a Cardiologist, a Cardiac Surgeon, a Cardiology Resident, or a Cardiology Nurse Practicioner.
Service Offer in Cardiac Prehabilitation
Description of Cardiac PREhabilitation program:
Since 2025, the CIUSSS Centre Ouest Cardiac Rehabilitation Center offers a cardiac prehabilitation program to Jewish General Hospital's patients awaiting a cardiac surgery (bypass and/or valve). Cardiac prehabilitation is a proactive and structured program aiming to maintain or improve your physical capacity, your mental wellbeing, and your general health before the surgery. It offers personalized exercise recommendations, information about your condition, nutritional advice, and strategies to manage stress.
Why should I participate?
Research shows that participating in a prehabilitation program can lead to better outcomes after surgery. The potential benefits include:
- Improved physical fitness and endurance
- Access to a nutritionist to promote a heart-healthy diet and to ensure optimal nutrition in preparation for your surgery
- Shorter hospital stays
- Faster recovery and return to daily activities
- Reduced risk of complications
- Increased confidence and readiness for the procedure
Cost: Covered by RAMQ
Duration: 2 months
Where: Richardson Hospital
What to expect ?
- Consultation with nurse
- Consultation in kinesiology to assess your capacity and create a plan to integrate physical activity adapted to your condition
- Supervised exercise session weekly (8x) at our center and/or virtual follow-ups of your home exercise plan
- Potential consultations in nutrition and social work for integration of health eating habits and stress management strategies
- Educational content to learn more abotu integration of healthy lifestyle
Take note that our program is flexible and adapts to your needs. Your participation can be fully in person, mostly virtual, or hybrid.
How to participate ?
If you're waiting for cardiac surgery at the Jewish General Hospital and are interested to participate in the cardiac prehabilitation program, contact us at 514-483-1384 or readaptation.cardiaque.ccomtl@ssss.gouv.qc.ca to assess your eligibility.
Our Team and Center
Our Team
Administration : Marcela Jiminez
Cardiology : Dr. Mark Smilovitch, Dr. Ann Walling, Dr. Maria Fadous
Nursing : Suzanna Mlakar
Kinesiology : Lisa Masse (Clinical Coordinator), Charles-Emanuel Côté, Marie-Pierre Tournier, Patricia René
Nutrition : Maya Nheme
Physiotherapy : Tim Halal
Psychology : Dr. Cindy Potechin
Occupational Therapy : Kristen Reidel
Social Work : Danielle De Jonge
The Cardiac Rehabilitation Center is located within the Richardson Hospital, at the corner of Bessborough avenue and chemin Côte-Saint-Luc.
Participants can use the parking spots indicated in yellow below when they access the hospital parking lot at 6440 chemin Côte-Saint-Luc (red star on plan).
The parking is free for 2 hours when you grab a parking ticket at the booth near the entrance. You will need to log your license plate at the booth. We are located on the ground floor, room JR36.
Parking is also available in the nearby streets, be sure to respect parking restrictions.
CIUSSS Centre-Ouest – Cardiac Rehabilitation Center (CCO-CRC)
Julius Richardson Hospital, room JR36 (ground floor)
5425, Bessborough avenue
Montréal, Québec, H4V 2S7
Tel: 514-483-1384
Tel : 514-484-7878 ext. 62134
Fax : 514-483-1381
readaptation.cardiaque.ccomtl@ssss.gouv.qc.ca