Heart Healthcare Centre
Office: 416-317-2211
Fax: 647-947-1933
contact@hearthealthcarecentre.com
HeartHealthcareCentre.com
231 Oak Park Blvd
Oakville, ON
L6H 7S8
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About Heart Healthcare Centre
Heart Healthcare Centre is a unique medical clinic focused on patients with heart disease and cardiovascular risk factors. Our team includes a Cardiologist, Clinical Exercise Physiologists, a Registered Dietitian, Cardiology Technologists, and Patient Care Coordinators.
We are passionate about helping people achieve their optimal health. We thrive on seeing our patients regain their quality of life. And once in a while we are lucky enough to save a life.
We are passionate about helping people achieve their optimal health. We thrive on seeing our patients regain their quality of life. And once in a while we are lucky enough to save a life.
CARDIAC DIAGNOSTICS AVAILABLE AT THE HEART HEALTHCARE CENTRE
ECG
An ELECTROCARDIOGRAM (ECG or EKG) is a simple test that can be used to check your heart's rhythm and electrical activity. The test involves attaching a few small, sticky sensors (called electrodes) to your chest, arms, and legs. The electrodes are connected by wires to an ECG recording machine. The heart’s electrical signals are recorded for 10 seconds, and a report is printed for the cardiologist to review.
HOLTER MONITOR
A HOLTER MONITOR is a portable electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor that records the electrical activity of the heart continuously for 24-hours, 48-hours, 7-days, or 14-days. Electrical impulses coordinate contractions of the different parts of the heart to keep the blood flowing. The Holter monitor records these impulses to determine how fast the heart is beating, the rhythm of the heart beats, and the strength and timing of the electrical impulses.
EXERCISE
STRESS TEST
The TREADMILL EXERCISE STRESS TEST is employed to assess the impact of exercise on the heart. Physical activity causes the heart to work harder and faster, and this test can reveal whether the arteries that supply blood to the heart are constricted. Additionally, the test can aid physicians in detecting irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) and determining the suitable type and intensity of exercise for a patient.
24-HOUR BP
MONITOR
24-HOUR AMBULATORY BLOOD PRESSURE MONITORING is a test that records your blood pressure (BP) readings for a full 24-hour period, whether you're awake or asleep, while you're going about your daily routine outside of your healthcare provider's office. To conduct the test, you wear a cuff on your arm connected to a small, lightweight device attached to a strap or belt, with a latex-free tube connecting them.
CARDIOLOGY CONSULTATION - WHAT IS A CARDIOLOGIST?
A cardiologist is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases related to the heart and blood vessels. This includes conditions such as heart attacks, heart failure, heart rhythm problems, and high blood pressure. Cardiologists undergo extensive training to become experts in identifying and managing these conditions, and they use a variety of tools and techniques, such as echocardiography and cardiac catheterization, to help diagnose and treat their patients. Ultimately, their goal is to help patients maintain a healthy heart and prevent serious heart-related complications.
WHAT DO CARDIOLOGISTS AT THE CENTRE DO?
At the Centre, we focus on diagnosis, treatment, and prevention
DIAGNOSIS
A cardiologist can be thought of as a detective who investigates and solves mysteries related to the heart and blood vessels. Just like a detective, a cardiologist carefully examines and analyzes all available information, including a patient's medical history, symptoms, and test results, to piece together a complete picture of what is going on with the patient's heart.
The cardiologist may order various tests, such as blood work, electrocardiograms (ECGs), and imaging tests like echocardiograms or angiograms, to gather clues and confirm their suspicions. They may also ask patients questions about their lifestyle and habits to identify risk factors for heart disease and make recommendations for lifestyle changes to prevent further problems.
Based on all of this information, the cardiologist works to make a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan tailored to the patient's specific needs. This could include medications, lifestyle changes, or procedures like angioplasty or stent placement. The cardiologist will also monitor the patient's progress over time, making adjustments as necessary to ensure their heart health is optimized.
Symptoms suggestive of a heart problem include:
- Chest discomfort
- Breathing trouble
- Ankle edema (swelling)
- Palpitations
- Lightheadedness
- Fainting
TREATMENT
Once we have determined the cause of your symptoms we can next move on to treatment of the underlying cause. This can be with lifestyle changes (eg. diet, exercise, smoking cessation), medications, procedures, and/or surgery. We refer to an interventional cardiologist or heart surgeon when necessary.
Common heart problems that we treat include:
- Atherosclerosis / Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease / Coronary Artery Disease
- Angina (chest pain caused by narrowing of the heart’s arteries)
- Myocardial infarction (Heart attack)
- Arrhythmia (Heart rhythm problems)
- Atrial Fibrillation / Atrial Flutter
- Supraventricular tachycardia
- Frequent extra heart beats (PACs or PVCs)
- Heart Failure / Cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle)
- Heart valve problems / Heart murmurs
- Recovery from heart surgery
- Aortic aneurysm (enlarged aorta)
- Pericarditis / Myocarditis
- Sudden cardiac arrest
PREVENTION
Our focus is on two types of prevention: PRIMARY PREVENTION, which aims to help individuals who are at risk of developing heart disease reduce their risk, and SECONDARY PREVENTION, which aims to help those who already have heart disease prevent future episodes or deterioration of their condition.
To achieve this, we employ a comprehensive approach that addresses various cardiovascular risk factors. Our recommendations include lifestyle modifications, such as dietary adjustments, maintaining a healthy weight, stress management, and regular physical activity. Additionally, we prescribe evidence-based therapies to further assist our patients in preventing or managing heart disease.
Cardiovascular risk factors include:
- High Blood Pressure
- High Cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Metabolic Syndrome
- Smoking
- Overweight or Obesity
- Family History of Heart Disease
- Unhealthy Diet
- Physical Inactivity
- Chronic Kidney Disease
- Chronic Inflammatory Conditions
- Preeclampsia
- Early Menopause
- High-Risk Ethnicity (eg. South Asian, Southeast Asian)
