The Cardiac Society of BC was originally incorporated under the Society Act of BC under the name of the Healthy Heart Helpers Association (HHHA) on December 14, 1994. The HHHA was somewhat a recent spinoff of a Women's Auxiliary to the Sisters of Providence as far back as 1894. On October 18, 2001 the HHHA name was changed to CSBC Cardiac Society of B.C.

The Cardiac Society Volunteers help the Healthy Heart Clinic which is part of the Healthy Heart Program. The Healthy Heart Program, a division of the Heart Center at St. Paul's is affiliated with UBC. The program is under the direction of Dr. Andrew Ignaszewski, MD, FRCC, Head of the Division of Cardilology and Medical Director of the HHP and Clinic.

Cardiac Rehabilitation is taught in the Healthy Heart Clinic. The Health Care Team includes a nurse case manager, exercise specialist, dietitians, cardiologists, pharmacist and pshychologist. There is a waiting list to enter the program of thirty-two sessions. The Cardiac Society volunteers help the Clinic in handling registrations and orientation of the gym facilities.

Volunteers from the Society, with a membership of some 200 ex-Clinic patients, carry out many useful services:

• Registration and orientation for the Clinic.
• Serve coffee and tea daily to patients and visitors in the heart ward.
• Staff the Resource center daily.
• Serve a Potluck Dinner twice a year to members and guests.
• Produce a quarterly newsletter
• Hold special meetings for pacemaker and ablation members (PASH).
• Maintain an informative web site.
• Handle membership registration, fees and financial statements.
• Hold Annual General Meeting.

For more information about all of the Heart Center Programs, click here.

The Cardiac Society continues to look for members who would like to volunteer for any of the services outlined above. We are in particular need for a writer or an editor to produce the quarterly newsletter. Also someone familiar with website software and management to maintain this site.