Thankful Hearts Walk encourages exercise for better heart health

KIM COULTER, Communications Specialist, Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation

KAWARTHA LAKES: For people who have had a heart attack or heart surgery, those with heart disease or who are at risk of developing heart disease, safe exercise is medicine. The Cardiac Rehabilitation Team at Ross Memorial Hospital is encouraging the community to join its Thankful Hearts Walk, from now until October 30th. Unable to gather for a group walk with patients, families and friends, the Cardiac Rehab Team hopes people will participate individually or in small groups. They’re asking participants to walk, hike, bike, just get active, and celebrate your heart health. The Thankful Hearts Walk will support Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation at the Ross, and help transition outpatient clinics to virtual classes. Participants and those wishing to sponsor them can give online at www.rmh.org/foundation or by calling 705-328-6146. As the pandemic began impacting hospital services, early in 2020, Cardiac Rehabilitation classes and chronic disease outpatient clinics, in the Ross Memorial’s Health First program, were paused and staff were deployed to other areas of the hospital. The team is excited now, to offer virtual classes to patients, beginning today. It was with heavy hearts, the Cardiac Rehab Team cancelled its annual Walk of Life fundraising event in the spring, due to the pandemic. More than a fundraiser, the Walk of Life was a day to celebrate both the efforts of the hospital’s heart patients to manage their health, and the friends and family who support them. “We’ve missed our patients, and can’t wait to see them again through our virtual classes,” said Sue Evans, physiotherapist. “We hope people throughout the Kawartha Lakes will join us in our Thankful Hearts Walk and share pictures of their exercise activities. October is the perfect month to get out, enjoy the autumn colours, and be good to your heart!” Do you have a thankful heart? Send a picture or video of your exercise activity, email it/them to foundation@rmh.org, and we’ll share it on social media to encourage others to get moving for good heart health.