All Press articles | University of Ottawa Heart Institute |

April 03, 2012 - Heart Institute named among top research powerhouses in the world

OTTAWA, April 3, 2012 – A recent global ranking has just confirmed the undeniable research strength of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI) by placing it in the top 2% of the best research institutions in the world. This comes as the most coveted international medical journal The Lancet gives its endorsement to the world’s first bedside genetic test developed by UOHI researchers.

March 29, 2012 - World’s first bedside genetic test gets green light by prestigious medical publication

OTTAWA, March 29, 2012 – Developed in Canada and conducted by researchers from the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI), in partnership with Spartan Bioscience, the world’s first bedside genetic test has received acknowledgment by The Lancet, the world's leading general medical journal.

March 04, 2012 - $6.1 million raised to fight heart disease at 21st University of Ottawa Heart Institute telethon

OTTAWA – March 4, 2012 – The University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI) held its 21^st annual telethon today and is proud to announce it has raised a record amount of $6.1 million to continue providing outstanding patient care to all Canadians and pursuing its research excellence worldwide.

January 20, 2012 - Heart Institute underscores importance of smoking cessation and provides counsel to smokers trying to quit

OTTAWA – January 20, 2012 – As National Non-Smoking Week draws to a close, the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, a national leader in smoking cessation, encourages smokers to “never quit trying to quit!”

Quitting smoking is the most important action a smoker can take to positively affect his or her heart health.

Smoking is the single greatest threat to heart health and smoking cessation produces benefits almost immediately and by one year has reduced the risk of heart attack by 50 per cent.

December 13, 2011 - Avoid a "Merry Christmas Coronary" and "Happy New Year Heart Attack"

Tips from the University of Ottawa Heart Institute on how to stay heart healthy through the holiday season

OTTAWA – December 13, 2011 – The holiday season tends to see an increase in cardiac events, with distinct spikes around Christmas and New Year’s Day, according to U.S.-based studies. While the exact reasons for these trends are not known for certain, a number of factors appear to contribute to the ‘Merry Christmas Coronary’ and ‘Happy New Year Heart Attack’ phenomenon.

November 09, 2011 - World’s first bedside genetic test proves effective: Canadian heart researchers’ pioneering “proof-of-concept” study holds promising implications for all areas of medicine

Tailored anti-platelet therapy, made possible through a novel point-of-care genetic test, optimizes treatment for patients who carry a common genetic variant, researchers at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI) have found.

September 08, 2011 - Researchers Discover Cellular Process that Clears Cholesterol and Could Reverse Major Cause of Heart Attack

Researchers at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI) have discovered that an ancient pathway called autophagy also mobilizes and exports cholesterol from cells. A team led by Yves Marcel, PhD, Director of the HDL Biology Laboratory, UOHI, has shown that autophagy, a pathway preserved during evolution, functions to engulf and digest cholesterol accumulated in artery walls. This process facilitates the removal of cholesterol and may provide an entirely new target to reverse atherosclerosis, the main cause of heart attack and stroke.

Association of autophagosomes with lipid droplets showing hydrolysis of cholesterol.

June 14, 2011 - Heart Institute’s Official French-Language ‘Designation’ Enhances Services to Ontario’s Largest Francophone Population

The University of Ottawa Heart Institute has received official ‘designation’ under the French Language Services Act, thus enhancing existing services to the Champlain Local Health Integration Network, home to Ontario’s largest francophone population.

June 10, 2011 - Jim Orban Appointed President and CEO of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation

The University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Jim Orban as the new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective June 27, 2011. Orban joins the Foundation after a publishing career at the Ottawa Citizen and more recently as an administrator at Algonquin College.

May 17, 2011 - Molecular Researchers Discover Novel Gene Linked to Aging Hearts

Researchers at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute have identified a novel gene in the nucleus of muscle and brain cells that affects heart development and the aging process. Their investigation brings the promise of new treatments for an old, failing heart.

March 06, 2011 - Landmark Study Links 13 New Genes to Heart Disease

Insight into the complex biological mechanisms that cause heart disease has taken a major step forward with the discovery of 13 new genes that increase the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). The influence of the majority of the new genes is independent of other established risk factors, suggesting new, unsuspected causes of CAD. The discovery more than doubles the number of genes known to affect the progression of heart disease.

February 24, 2011 - One of North America’s Largest Telehome Programs Reaches 1,000-Patient Milestone

OTTAWA – Feb. 24, 2011 – The University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI) is marking a significant milestone by enrolling the 1,000th cardiac patient in one of North America’s largest telehome programs, demonstrating a proven approach to managing chronic disease by reducing hospital readmission while improving quality of life.

February 01, 2011 - Canadian-led team aims to produce medical isotopes without nuclear reactor

SASKATOON, SK – Producing medical isotopes safely, cheaply and reliably without using a nuclear reactor or weapons-grade uranium is the aim of a research project led by the Canadian Light Source (CLS) along with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes and medical researchers from the University of Ottawa Heart Institute and Toronto’s University Health Network.

November 14, 2010 - New Hope and Proven Help for Heart Failure Patients: International Study Proves Medical Device Therapy Boosts a Fading Heart Beat

OTTAWA – November 14, 2010 – One of the largest, most extensive worldwide investigations into heart failure, led by the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI), conclusively proves that a new therapeutic implant synchronizes and strengthens a fading heart beat while reducing risk of death by 24% compared to the current treatment.

September 09, 2010 - Overweight and Obese Make up Majority in Ontario

OTTAWA September 9, 2010 --- New analysis of a landmark health survey by the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI) shows that 70% of Ontario adults are either overweight or obese, and have a strong prevalence of high blood pressure that could lead to heart attack or stroke.

June 15, 2010 - Heart Institute Launches Canada’s First In-Hospital Screening for Diabetes

The University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI) is testing Canada's first in-hospital program to screen and treat patients for diabetes, a growing epidemic in much of the Western world. The program is expected to lead to new ways to identify and cope with one of the most important risk factors for heart disease, particularly in women.

April 22, 2010 - Canada’s Olympic Figure Skating Heroine Joins with the University of Ottawa Heart Institute to Fight Heart Disease in Women

Olympic figure skating heroine Joannie Rochette teams with the University of Ottawa Heart Institute for the iheartmom campaign to both raise funds to improve research, education and treatment for women and heart disease, while raising awareness of the No. 1 killer of Canadian women

March 31, 2010 - Heart Institute Research Confirms Cardiac CT Can Help Predict and Prevent Heart Attack

One of the largest research studies into cardiac computed tomography (CT), conducted at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI), shows that the high-speed advanced imaging technology can identify and predict patients at risk for heart attack and death.

Dr. Benjamin Chow research into computed tomography (CT) proves the technology is a fast, effective alternative to more invasive techniques used to identify and prevent a heart attack and death.

December 03, 2009 - Top Canadian Surgeons Recommend Best Treatment of Faulty Heart Valve as Guide to Physicians Around the World

Superior surgical techniques used in centres such as the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI) to fix a faulty heart valve flap, eliminate severe blood leakage and other serious cardiac conditions are highlighted as an expert guide to physicians and featured today in one of medicine’s most prestigious journals.

November 09, 2009 - University of Ottawa Heart Institute to Develop, Produce and Expand Uses for Novel Medical Radioisotope Tracers

Researchers from the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI) will receive nearly half of a $5.4 million federal fund to help solve a shortage of medical isotopes resulting from the shutdown of the Chalk River nuclear reactor. Two research teams will develop two new alternative radioisotope imaging tracers, test new applications for their use in diagnosing heart disease, and fast track production and distribution as quickly as possible across Canada.