For cardiac patients, “walking is the ideal prescription,” says doctor

Five years of doctors walking with patients

Walk with your Doc week is coming up May 3 – 11. In preparation for the province-wide events, doctors and their patients are telling their Walk with your Doc stories about why they started, what they experienced, and how their lives have changed. If you have a story about Walk with your Doc that you’d like to share please contact View Email Addressetimmerman@doctorsofbc.ca. 

For cardiac patients, “walking is the ideal prescription,” says doctor

With three kids and a fourth on the way, Stephania Ferrari, of Coquitlam, BC, is one hardworking mom. Her days are filled with carpools, picking up clothes, negotiating meals, loving hugs, and soothing tears. Many mothers can relate, but Stephania has additional challenges that make each day harder than for most. Stephania has Multiple Sclerosis and cardiac issues that put her at risk if she over exerts herself.

“Moving around is hard, especially now that I’m on bed rest,” Stephania says. ”Raising my pulse is risky for my health.” She is one of a number of patients in BC where doctors recognize high-intensity exercise can do more harm than good. Although her doctor, cardiologist Dr Victor Huckell, wants to see her active daily, he understands her limitations and recognizes small activities, like a short walk and gardening, can give her physical and mental health benefits.

“Even low intensity exercise is good exercise,” asserts Dr Huckell “Arm exercises, walking short distances, these all have an effect on your overall health.”

It’s this mindset that four years ago prompted Dr Huckell to organize his own walking event for Walk with your Doc, as an opportunity for his cardiac patients to meet and socialize. Back then a dozen patients joined him, including Stephania and her family, to walk a 2.5 km route around Stanley Park. As a thank you for attending, Dr Huckell invited the group for lunch at a nearby restaurant. Everyone had such a great time that Dr Huckell decided to make it an annual event and since then attendance has increased every year.

“Many of my patients have a small circle of friends, so this is considered a big event for them,” said Dr Huckell. Last year Dr Huckell’s friend, Dr Graham Wong, joined the walk and invited his patients. Three physician residents also tagged along to meet and interact with patients outside the hospital environment. The number of walkers quickly grew to 60. “We took over the whole restaurant for lunch,” recalled Dr Huckell.

While Stephania’s kids speed through the walk each year, she takes her time alongside other patients who joke about being the slowest. Even though Stephania will be 30-weeks pregnant for this year’s walk, she and her family are determined to attend. Dr Huckell will bring wheelchairs for Stephania and some other patients to use for the walk. “It’s such a different atmosphere than meeting Dr Huckell in his office for a check-up. It’s a lighter feeling and more fun,” said Stephania. ““He got me through three pregnancies and helps me out so much, so I walk to support him.”

Dr Victor Huckell will be walking with his patients May 10 at Stanley Park for the fourth year in a row.

Other Walk with your Doc events are happening throughout BC between May 3 – 11, 2014. Everyone is invited to walk in the Kitsilano Beach Walk, Saturday, May 3. To register and receive your free pedometer visit walkwithyourdoc.ca.