 | Dr. Wightman – Medical DirectorDr. Wightman is a Heart Specialist practicing at Valley Regional hospital. He is one of the founding members and president of the Valley Cardiac Rehab Society and the Medical Director of Extended Warranty II Cardiac Rehab Program. |
 | Susan Miles – TreasurerI am a Dietitian and have been with the Valley Cardiac Rehab program since 1992. I currently work as a Manager for Annapolis Valley Health. As a volunteer, I am the Treasurer for the Valley Cardiac Rehab Society. It has been wonderful to be part of this Cardiac Rehab program over the years as it has evolved and grown. |
 | Judy DeWolfe – NurseI am a graduate of St Martha’s School of Nursing in Antigonish. I worked on medical, surgical and ICU. I have been with the Valley Cardiac Rehab Program since 1998 as a nurse and exercise instructor. I also work in the Heart Function Clinic along with Cardiologists and Internal Medicine specialists to help manage patients with heart failure. |
 | Ciara Lamoreau – NurseCiara is an RN who occasionally helps out during the Cardiac Rehab exercise classes. She also works full-time in the ICU at Valley Regional |
 | Amy MacDearmid – NurseAmy has been with Cardiac Rehab since 2008. Graduating from Dalhousie University School of Nursing in 2002, she has worked in various areas and places with a background in Intensive Care nursing, Chronic Pain Management, Recovery Room, Outpatient Departments, and teaching nursing students between Halifax and the Annapolis Valley. She loves to see Rehab participants having fun and sharing a laugh while working towards health and well-being during classes. |
 | Josilyn Hare – NurseI joined the staff of Valley Cardiac Rehab program in 1998 as a Registered Nurse. Having a background in the intensive care unit and in particular, experience with cardiac patients over the years. I am proud to be a part of this much needed program. |
 | Cathleen Bleakney – KinesiologistI am the most recent addition to the Cardiac Rehab program. I graduated with a Bachelor of Kinesiology, from Acadia University, in Wolfville. I work directly with the patients of the Cardiac Rehab program to provide exercise training assistance and advice. |
 | Kendra Riggs – DietitianKendra Riggs is the dietitian with the Cardiac Rehab Program as well as the outpatient dietitian at the Valley Regional Hospital. Originally from Kentville, she received a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and went on to complete the Integrated Dietetic Internship program at Acadia University. She received her Certified Diabetes Educator designation in 2010 and has been with Annapolis Valley Health since 2006. |
 | Joanne Marshall – Nurse |
Heart Healthy Facts
- Being sedentary (not exercising) increases a woman's risk of osteoporosis (weak bones).
Walking 4 hours per week (or biking, jogging, swimming) reduces a woman's risk of hip fracture by 41%! - Calories in one Mars Chocolate Bar: 235. You'd need to walk 3 km to burn off a Mars Bar!
Calories in an average sized Annapolis Valley Apple: 65 (with 0 grams of fat!) - MacDonald's Quarter Pounder with Cheese: 510 Calories, 230 calories from fat; 1200 mg Sodium (80% of your daily recommended amount).
Reducing your average sodium intake by 1200 mg per day significantly reduces your chance of heart attack, stroke and death. - Smoking doubles your risk of having a heart attack.
Within 48 hours of quitting smoking blood oxygen increases by 10%!
Within 2 weeks op quitting smoking, circulation and lung function improve! - In younger people, 3 out of 4 deaths from heart disease are due to smoking.
One year after quitting smoking, excess risk for heart disease is cut in half! - Obesity is a major risk factor for more than 90% of Diabetics.
Regular daily exercise is more effective than medication in preventing the onset of diabetes. - Diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol, inactivity, and obesity account for more than 80% of new cases of heart disease.
Regular daily exercise helps lower blood pressure, prevents diabetes, helps people lose weight, and improves cholesterol. - Angioplasty and by-pass surgery are good treatments but have little effect on the progression of coronary artery disease.
Studies have shown, proper diet, regular exercise, quitting smoking and certain medications can stop progression or even reverse coronary heart disease. - More than 50% of Nova Scotians aged 12 and over are physically inactive.
Daily exercise halves your risk of dying from heart disease or stroke and reduces your risk of high blood pressure by 30%.