P.E.I. cardiac rehab program has more referrals, growing wait-list

There’s a growing number of high-risk heart patients on P.E.I., meaning low risk patients are facing longer wait times for a 12-week cardiac rehab program. The program aims to help people recover from heart disease after a heart attack or prevent additional attacks. Ideally, health experts believe patients should get into the program within one month of being referred, but the average wait time has grown to four months. The Heart and Stroke Foundation of P.E.I. says accessing cardio rehab is a challenge felt across the country. There are about 1,200 patients on P.E.I. each year who experience a cardiac event and about 250 have been through the program since it started two years ago.