Length
One-time virtual session, 2 hours
OR
Heart Health Video Part 1: Overview and Diet, 55 minutes
Heart Health Video Part 2: Medication, Exercise, Alcohol and Smoking, 36 minutes
Format/Description
In this virtual group and two-part educational video sessions, our health care providers explain the key factors that affect your heart health.
Who should attend this group?
This group and the educational videos are intended for patients identified by their physicians as having any of the following:
- cardiovascular disease
- past heart attack or stroke
OR risk factors for heart disease such as - elevated blood cholesterol levels (high cholesterol)
- hypertension (high blood pressure)
Requirements/Expectations
N/A
Benefits/Take-aways
Heart disease, like heart failure and heart attacks, is one of the main reasons people go to the hospital in Canada. Most Canadians (9 out of 10) have at least one thing that can raise their chances of getting heart disease (Heart and Stroke Foundation website, 2025). Through this group/video, you will learn how you can improve your heart health through changes in diet and exercise, quitting smoking and limiting alcohol, as well as understanding your medications.
Group Handouts/Resources
- Canada’s Food Guide (updated Jul 2025)
- Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines (adults 18-64 years) (updated Jul 2025)
- Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines (adults 65+) (updated Jul 2025)
- Clearing Up Myths About Statin Medicine (updated Jul 2025)
- DASH Diet (Hamilton Health Sciences) (updated Jul 2025)
- DASH Diet Information (updated Jul 2025)
- Eat More Soluble Fibre (updated Jul 2025)
- Heart and Stroke Foundation – Exercise Handout (updated Jul 2025)
- Heart Disease in Canada (updated Jul 2025)
- Heart Health PowerPoint Presentation (updated Apr 2026)
- Improve Your Cholesterol and Triglycerides (updated Jul 2025)
- Mediterranean Style of Eating (updated Jul 2025)
- Portfolio Diet Information (updated Jul 2025)
- Thinking of Quitting Smoking (updated Jul 2025)
- Using the Nutrition Facts Table (updated Jul 2025)
- What you need to know about sugar (updated Jul 2025)
Participant Feedback
“Informal, comfortable environment. Easy to ask questions. nice to have the team – two subject matter experts.” (March 2025)
“Information was relevant and up to date. Feeling more motivated to get back on track with my lifestyle habits.” (November 2024)
“Visual aids; clear intonation; easy to understand language; dietitian explaining the slides rather than me just reading the slides; options of foods to include in diet, rather than just what to avoid; refresher on reading labels.” (September 2024)
Heart Health Video Part 1: Overview and Diet
This information is presented by Thames Valley Family Heath Team health professionals and was developed based on the most up-to-date research.
We respect that everyone’s journey is unique. Your health, history, and circumstances are all different.
If you have questions after attending one of our groups or viewing one of our videos, please reach out to a health professional. If you do not have a nurse practitioner or family doctor, call 811 or visit https://health811.ontario.ca/.
Heart Health Video Part 2: Medication, Exercise, Alcohol and Smoking
This information is presented by Thames Valley Family Heath Team health professionals and was developed based on the most up-to-date research.
We respect that everyone’s journey is unique. Your health, history, and circumstances are all different.
If you have questions after attending one of our groups or viewing one of our videos, please reach out to a health professional. If you do not have a nurse practitioner or family doctor, call 811 or visit https://health811.ontario.ca/.