ADULT CARDIOLOGY AND CARDIAC DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES

Why do I need to care about my cardiovascular health?

Cardiovascular health is of the utmost importance, given it is the second leading cause of death in Canada. As of 2013, 2.4 million adults over the age of 20 were living with diagnosed heart disease. The sex differences in cardiovascular disease are also important to note, with men twice as likely to suffer a heart attack compared to women. Furthermore, men are diagnosed with heart disease approximately ten years earlier than women.

Is there anything I can do to help prevent heart disease?

The good news is that heart disease, particularly ischemic heart disease, which results from plaque buildup in the heart’s arteries, is often preventable.

Measures to prevent heart disease and, ultimately, heart attacks and strokes include:

  • Quitting cigarette smoking or remaining smoke-free

  • Staying physically active both with aerobic exercises as well as resistance training

  • Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet and reducing fast foods, and foods high in saturated fats.

  • Maintaining a healthy body weight

  • Reducing alcohol intake

  • Regular checkups with your physician for diabetes and cholesterol tests

Our cardiology team are experts in all aspects of cardiovascular care, including:

  • Primary prevention (high blood pressure, high cholesterol/lipids, diabetes)

  • Coronary artery disease (angina, stable CAD, myocardial infarction)

  • Valvular disease (stenosis or regurgitation of the aortic, mitral, tricuspid or pulmonic valves)

  • Arrhythmia disorders (Atrial fibrillation/flutter/tachycardia, supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular tachycardias, pre-excitation/WPW)

  • Pericardial diseases (constriction, restriction, pericardial effusion, pericarditis)

  • Aortic disease (enlargement of the aortic root, ascending aorta, abdominal aortic aneurysm, coarctation)

What cardiovascular services are provided at Unify Health?

Our clinic provides various cardiac diagnostic tests to complete comprehensive assessments and ensure your heart health is well-managed and followed. These services include:

  • Echocardiography (with contrast)

  • 12 lead electrocardiograms (ECG/EKG)

  • Continuous cardiac rhythm monitoring (Holter monitors - 24 hours to 2 weeks)

  • Blood pressure monitors (24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring - gold standard blood pressure test)

  • Cardiac stress testing (treadmill stress test, exercise stress echocardiograms) for diagnosing ischemic heart disease, valvular hemodynamic assessment, and arrhythmia investigation.

Whether you have a diagnosed cardiac condition requiring further management and follow-up or want to prevent a future cardiac event, our cardiology team is available to help improve your health and well-being.

I want to see a cardiologist. Can I make an appointment?

In Ontario, seeing a Cardiologist requires a referral from a doctor or nurse practitioner. If you have one, please take our information to your family doctor or nurse practitioner and let them know we are happy to see you in a fast and efficient manner.