Montreal Heart Institute Prevention and Rehabilitation

One of the most successful aspects of our prevention management is that we offer a personalized follow-up program using a multidisciplinary approach. Our patients first undergo an evaluation of risk factors such as smoking, obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol and hypertension. A follow-up plan is then developed for each patient, who is monitored on a regular basis in partnership with other health professionals. Here are the primary activities involved in the MHI's prevention management.

 First-Line Prevention

Our prevention activities are mostly performed at Centre ÉPIC, the MHI's preventative medicine and rehabilitation centre.  First-line prevention involves a complete medical examination performed by a general practitioner or internist, who tests for all the risk factors associated with coronary diseases. There are currently over 3,000 people enrolled in Centre ÉPIC's first-line prevention program, making this facility the top first-line prevention centre in Canada.

Second-Line Prevention

Second-line prevention is for patients with cardiovascular pathologies. They receive the same evaluation, only it's performed by a cardiologist. Centre ÉPIC is the top second-line prevention centre in Canada, with over 1,000 enrolled patients.

Fitness

Exercise is a cornerstone of our fitness program. Courses are supervised by certified instructors. Classes in aerobics, flexibility, body-building, aqua-form, swimming, volley-ball, badminton, yoga and other fitness classes are offered to the public. For high-risk patients, nursing supervision during classes is also available.

New Prevention Division

The MHI recently launched a new Prevention Division centered on the planning of major orientations and the steering of prevention operations; it will influence all of the clinical, educational and research activities. In collaboration with MHI educational directors and those of the Université de Montréal, the Institute is setting up new prevention training programs for all health professionals. This new management reflects how much our directors value prevention issues.

Other Services

The nutrition clinic is offered to patients through individual consultations or group cooking classes. This one-of-a-kind Quebec program is a rarity in North America!

Within this framework, trans fats and their associated heart disease risks are a priority concern.

The smokers' treatment clinic offers personalized consultations and group conferences to inform and support people who want to quit smoking.

Centre ÉPIC also trains health professionals, including medical students, as well as community health, kinesiology, physical education and other specialized workers.

Community involvement is paramount to the success of our prevention activities. That's why the Centre, with the support of its partner Acti-Menu, gears its prevention efforts toward schools, companies, the media, Quebec general practitioners and the general public.

In short, we offer a critically important, progressive management aimed at better preventing coronary diseases and stepping in to counteract its associated risk factors. We'll keep you posted on future developments!