Any heart condition that leads to a sudden slowing or blockage of blood supply to the heart is referred to as an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). If you have chest pain (angina), or pressure in your chest typical of a heart attack, then you are considered as having ACS until proven otherwise. ACS is a...
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A congenital heart defect is a malformation of the heart that is present at birth. Some congenital heart defects are very minor and will never cause health problems. Others are very serious and complicated. These defects are usually discovered in infancy or early childhood due to symptoms and may be...
If you are experiencing chest pain or angina for the first time, seek immediate medical attention. What is Angina Angina is a type of chest pain or discomfort that occurs whenever your heart is not receiving all the oxygen that it needs to do its job. Angina is often described as pain or pressure in...
The heartbeat is controlled by electrical impulses that normally travel on a smooth path through the heart, causing the ventricles and atria to contract in a specific order, pushing blood through the lungs and body. These electrical impulses are controlled by the heart's sinoatrial (SA) node, or...
Atrial fibrillation is a type of irregular heartbeat, or arrhythmia, that happens when the electrical signalling in your heart is disrupted. Different types of atrial fibrillation may last for seconds or be permanent. The condition is more common in older people and can have many different causes...
We provide planning and support for the adoption, installation, and maintenance of all medical technology, whether it is used for diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation, or for research.
Amyloidosis is a rare, chronic condition in which abnormal proteins bunch together to form amyloid deposits. These deposits can build in certain body organs such as the heart, nerves, gastrointestinal tract, and kidneys, and may cause damage. What is cardiac amyloidosis? Cardiac amyloidosis is a...
Cardiac Anesthesiology at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute is a multi-faceted division dedicated to perioperative cardiovascular care, education and research.
Cardiac arrest is a sudden loss of heart function, breathing and consciousness, usually caused by disruptions to the normal electrical activity within the heart. This leads to a complete collapse and usually requires emergency measures in order to prevent death. Often, people who experience sudden...
Cardiac imaging enables physicians to rule out or validate evidence of coronary artery disease and provide early, effective treatments for patients. A variety of imaging methods are used at the Heart Institute. Each has advantages and helps physicians understand how best to treat aspects of heart...
Neuromuscular disorders represent a heterogeneous group of genetic abnormalities affecting the normal function of nerve and muscle. The age of onset is variable and clinical presentations depend on the type of condition. Symptoms can include muscle pain, weakness, and spasms. Some conditions can...
Prevention and Rehabilitation provides state-of-the-art approaches to the prevention of cardiac disease: preventing patients from having additional cardiac events and helping patients return to their lives following cardiac events and procedures.
What Is Cardiac Sarcoidosis? Cardiac sarcoidosis is a rare disease in which clusters of white blood cells, called granulomas, form in the tissue of the heart. Any part of the heart can be affected, though these cell clusters most often form in the heart muscle where they can interfere with the heart...
Cardiac surgery at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute is dedicated to life-saving procedures and to advancing surgical techniques and treatment methods. Our surgeons specialize in reconstructing damaged portions of the heart and solving complex problems, often using minimally invasive...
The Heart Institute is a centre of excellence in all areas of cardiovascular medicine. We have the lowest mortality rates and largest patient volumes in Canada and throughout most of North America. Each year, some 130,000 patients visit our clinics for testing and treatment of heart disorders. Our...
The heart is a muscle that works like a pump. The main job of the heart is to pump blood throughout the body. Cardiomyopathy is a condition which affects the ability of the heart muscle to pump effectively. There are different types of cardiomyopathy and different causes. The main goal of treatment...
Clinical Services is the University of Ottawa Heart Institute’s division of nursing, an organization dedicated to excellence in practice, innovation, teaching and research. We believe that our patients come first and that care must be organized around patients and families. We offer a full spectrum...
A coronary abnormality may involve an irregularity with its starting point, course, shape, or branching. Coronary artery anomalies affect less than 1% of the population and are congenital (meaning they are present at birth). They may not be diagnosed until adolescence or adulthood because of a lack...
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a condition which affects the arteries that supply the heart with blood. It is usually caused by atherosclerosis which is a buildup of plaque inside the artery walls. This buildup causes the inside of the arteries to become narrower and slows down the flow of blood...
Normally, when blood glucose levels rise after a meal, the pancreas (an organ near the stomach) releases a hormone called insulin to stimulate your cells and liver to absorb the glucose. With diabetes, the body either does not produce enough insulin (type 1 diabetes) or cannot use the hormone...