Gene editing: Is CRISPR a possible game-changer for cardiovascular disease?
In its simplest incarnation, CRISPR-Cas9 is a wildly popular and powerful gene-editing technology which can be thought of as a two-part machine – one that essentially works as a find-and-replace or find-and-remove for your DNA. The first part of the CRISPR-Cas9 machine is the guide RNA, a short
Beyond the buzzword: The promise of precision medicine
With next-generation DNA sequencing and patient-tailored therapeutics entering the market and significantly transforming lives, the era of precision medicine is upon us. What exactly is this bold new approach, and why does it promise to revolutionize how we improve heart health and treat its
Emerging medical breakthroughs: Are we ready for tomorrow?
Exciting medical discoveries are being fed through our social media feeds and television screens with a seemingly limitless speed and diversity. From breakthroughs like genetic engineering and regenerative medicine to emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and robotic surgery, we live in
Smartphone-based diagnostics more accurate than traditional examination techniques
A recent study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal suggests smartphone technology is diagnostically more accurate than traditional physical examination techniques to assess blood flow in arteries found in the wrist. The study was conducted at the University of Ottawa Heart
The leadless pacemaker: Is wireless pacing the new era of cardiac care?
Many important innovations have been made over the last 50 years to improve the efficacy of transvenous pacemakers implanted in cardiac patients worldwide. Despite modern advancements, there remain certain risks associated with the implantation of such devices, and long-term complications are not
Nursing our nurses back to health: Tailored interventions needed now
Nurses make up the largest professional group within the healthcare workforce and their work is perceived as being physically and mentally demanding. According to a National Survey of the Work and Health of Nurses in Canada conducted in 2005, an alarming proportion of Canadian nurses then reported
Modern day healthcare first envisioned in 1962 classic "The Jetsons"
It’s 2062. The world is a futuristic utopia of push-button conveniences made possible by technology. Even visiting the doctor happens virtually via videophone. Such was the premise of the popular American animated sitcom, The Jetsons, which first hit airwaves in 1962. But, as Cardiac Telehealth
Esther's list: Top 10 tips for managing stress
According to Statistics Canada, 23% of Canadians aged 15 and older (an estimated 6.7 million people) reported most days were either ‘quite a bit’ or ‘extremely stressful’. Stress is the mind and body’s response to a perceived threat or stressor, triggering the instinct known as the fight-or-flight
Wireless device puts real-time data analysis at the fingertips of cardiac rehabilitation research
Cardiac patients at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI) are getting healthier faster thanks to recently acquired state-of-the-art cardiopulmonary exercise monitoring equipment with ergospirometry (CPET). The Oxycon TM Mobile Device pairs portability with functionality, and packs a big
Top five stories of 2017 from The Beat
As 2017 draws to a close, we hope you will enjoy this look back at our Top 5 articles from this past year: 5. Intermittent fasting helps fight obesity Up to sixteen weeks of intermittent fasting without otherwise having to count calories helps fight obesity and other metabolic disorders 5th most