Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are used for a variety of indications, but in all cases, their function is the same—to deliver an electrical shock to the heart when they detect an erratic heart rhythm, known as a ventricular arrhythmia. An ICD is surgically implanted, as the name...
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On August 24, 2011, Dr. Robert Roberts, Heart Institute President and CEO, welcomed the Government of Ontario’s commitment to fund detailed plans, renovations and the construction of a new building extension that provides five storeys of additional space to the Heart Institute. The extension will...
The Women@Heart In-patient Support Program is a peer-to-peer support opportunity in the hospital for women recently diagnosed with heart disease. After being diagnosed with heart disease, many women experience feelings of isolation and depression.
Risks and symptoms of heart disease in women
On July 26 this past summer, two cardiologists at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute implanted a defibrillator. Nothing out of the ordinary, you would think. It is something they do almost daily to provide lifesaving therapy for patients at risk of sudden cardiac death. But this was out of the...
The Heart Institute’s highly successful telehome monitoring program is marking the participation of its 1,000th patient. The unique program for managing heart failure care substantially reduces hospital readmissions and saves on unnecessary health care costs. Heart failure refers to a complex of...
The next time you stub your toe so hard it becomes red and swollen, consider the fact that you are witnessing one of life’s original defensive manoeuvres. When ancient Earth was populated only by microscopic, single-celled organisms, if one of them preyed upon another the only result was death. But...
Did you know periods of sporadic fasting can be beneficial for the metabolism? Up to sixteen weeks of intermittent fasting without otherwise having to count calories helps fight obesity and other metabolic disorders. Such fasting already shows benefits after only six weeks. This is according to a...
In the largest-ever collaborative study of its kind, a team of cardiovascular genetics researchers from around the world have identified 13 new genetic variants associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). This finding more than doubled the number of genetic variants known to impact risk for CAD...
When you hear “ Code STEMI” announced over the loudspeakers at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, you can be sure of two things: Someone in the Ottawa region is having a serious heart attack, and he or she may well be in the best place in the world for that to happen. A STEMI (ST-elevation...
Somewhere between traditional cardiologists and cardiac surgeons sit interventional cardiologists. Like surgeons, interventionists get blood on their gowns in the process of correcting structural problems of the heart, but their approach is more subtle and less invasive. Spending their days in the...
To new cardiac anesthesiology residents, Dr. Jean-Yves Dupuis explains that it may be hard for them to predict the twists and turns their careers might take. “I tell them that the day I finished my internship back in 1979, I swore I would never go back to a university hospital—I wanted to travel the...
In March, Dr. Rob Beanlands was appointed Chief of Cardiology at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. He brings extensive career experience in cardiovascular imaging and a passion for patient-centred care and education to his new position. Dr. Beanlands takes over from Dr. Terrence Ruddy, Chief...
Cardiology experts from Canada and around the world have gathered in Toronto this weekend to attend the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress (CCC), the largest gathering of cardiovascular and allied healthcare professionals in the country. The Congress draws hundreds of speakers highlighting innovations...
Whether it’s watching television, going for a long drive or spending hours in front of a computer, sitting for long periods of time increases your risk for a variety of health problems, even if you get regular exercise. While regular exercise is key to preventing heart disease, obesity and diabetes...
In July, the first patient in a landmark clinical trial received treatment at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. The new ENACT-AMI (Enhanced Angiogenic Cell Therapy—Acute Myocardial Infarction) trial, led by the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, is designed to test whether genetically...
But living on a salt-restricted diet can be a challenge. “It’s really hard to know how much sodium is in food because you don’t see it,” explained Kathleen Turner, a registered dietitian with the Division of Cardiac Prevention and Rehabilitation at the Ottawa Heart Institute. “It just disappears...
Lana Gillard was used to going to the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. Her mother was a long-time patient there, suffering from chronic heart failure after many years of treatment and several open-heart surgeries. Gillard accompanied her to appointments and knew her mother was in excellent...
A class of anti-cholesterol drugs called PCSK9 inhibitors has been in the press lately, and for good reason: they can reduce blood cholesterol levels substantially beyond what a statin alone can achieve. Two have made it to market so far for treating coronary artery disease, with more likely to come...
The past decade has seen rapid progress in cataloguing the genetic factors driving heart disease risk. The University of Ottawa Heart Institute led the way, discovering the first and, to date, highest-impact common genetic variant linked to coronary artery disease. Many others have been found since...