Happy Hearts

Happy Hearts programs are for people with or at risk of heart disease.

Both the Happy Heart Plus and Happy Hearts Maintenance programs include supervised exercise classes, educational seminars, and support from health professionals. They are available throughout the year at participating community centres.

Who is Happy Hearts for?

People living with heart disease:

Heart attack
Angina
Angioplasty
Open heart surgery

People at risk of heart disease:

Obesity
Hypertension
Smoking
Diabetes
High cholesterol
Sedentary lifestyle
Strong family history of premature coronary artery disease

Happy Hearts Plus

Happy Hearts Plus is a 6-month, medically-supervised program for people with or at risk of heart disease who are ready to make a lifestyle change.
Happy Hearts Plus includes:
- A medically-supervised and case-managed program personalized to you
- Instructor-led group exercise classes once a week
- Weekly advice and consultation with your own Happy Hearts case manager
- Weekly one-hour educational workshops on setting goals, managing stress, healthy nutrition, blood pressure, and physical activity
- Support and consultation with a cardiologist, as needed
- 6 months participation
- Unlimited access to fitness centres, swimming pools, and ice rinks operated by the Vancouver Park Board*
* Some restrictions apply depending on the facility.

Location and cost

Dunbar Community Centre and Kensington Community Centre. Upon registration, ask for a special Happy Hearts Flexipass at one of these locations. The cost is equivalent to adult and senior rates for the regular Flexipass.

How to join Happy Hearts Plus
1. Have your doctor complete the 2-page referral form. Referral forms are also available at Kensington Community Centre and Dunbar Community Centre.
  - Happy Hearts Plus application with physician's referral form (360 KB)
2. Fax your referral form to 604-875-5794 or drop the form off at Kensington Community Centre or Dunbar Community Centre.
3. A Happy Hearts Coordinator will contact you to set up your enrollment and pre-requisite tests if needed.
Happy Hearts Maintenance

Happy Hearts Maintenance is a follow-up program for people who have completed a hospital-based, rehabilitation program within the past year. The program also provides continued support to graduates of Happy Hearts Plus.
Happy Hearts Maintenance includes:
- Instructor-led group exercise classes once a week
- Weekly one-hour educational workshops (optional)
- Year round participation
- Unlimited access to fitness centres, swimming pools, and ice rinks operated by the Vancouver Park Board*
* Some restrictions apply depending on the facility.

Location and cost

Dunbar Community Centre, Kensington Community Centre, and Champlain Heights Community Centre. Upon registration, ask for a special Happy Hearts Flexipass at one of these locations. The cost is is equivalent to adult and senior rates for the regular Flexipass.

How to join Happy Hearts Maintenance
1. Have your Cardiac Rehab Case Manager complete the 1-page referral form. Forms are also available at Kensington Community Centre, Dunbar Community Centre, or Champlain Community Centre.
  - Happy Hearts Maintenance application form with cardiac rehabilitation summary (186 KB)
2. If your physician is referring you to the program, have them fill out the physician clearance form (172 KB). If you have not attended the Happy Hearts maintenance class for over 6 months, your physician will need to fill out this form.
3. Once you have graduated from your cardiac rehab program, register in-person at Kensington Community Centre, Dunbar Community Centre, or Champlain Community Centre for your maintenance exercise class.

About the Happy Hearts programs

The Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) Centre for Cardiovascular Health created Happy Hearts as community-based programs for people who have or are at risk of heart disease. VGH runs the program in partnership with the Saint Paul’s Hospital Healthy Heart program and the Vancouver Park Board.

For more information about the program, contact Nick Pratap, Happy Hearts Coordinator at 604-875-4111 ext 63170.

More information:

Happy Hearts locations

Champlain Heights

The Champlain Heights Community Centre is located at 3350 Maquinna Drive, Vancouver. Amenities include a youth centre, preschool childcare, indoor cycling, a dance studio, squash and racquetball courts, and a fitness centre with sauna. Outside, there is a tennis court and playground.

Kensington

Kensington Community Centre is located at 5175 Dumfries St in Vancouver. Amenities include an indoor pool, a fitness centre, and more.

Dunbar

The Dunbar Community Centre is located at 4747 Dunbar St, Vancouver, BC. 604-222-6060. Amenities include a fitness centre, dance studio, pottery programs for children, indoor cycling, tennis courts, outdoor sport courts, gymnasium, squash courts, darkroom and playground.

Currently, Champlain Heights Community Centre only offers the Happy Hearts Maintenance program.

Happy Hearts

Who is Happy Hearts for?

Happy Hearts Plus

Location and cost

How to join Happy Hearts Plus

Happy Hearts Maintenance

Location and cost

How to join Happy Hearts Maintenance