Nuclear Stress Test: What is it? A nuclear stress test is a minimally invasive diagnostic imaging procedure designed to evaluate the perfusion of blood through the coronary arteries to the heart muscle. Images of the heart are acquired when the heart is in a baseline resting state and again after the heart has been exercised, […]
Stroke: What You Need to Know
What is a Stroke? A stroke is a medical emergency. It is similar to a heart attack for the brain. It occurs when the flow of blood to the brain is interrupted, resulting in oxygen starvation to the brain cells which can no longer perform their task whether it is memory, vision, or muscle control. […]
An Increase in Cardiovascular Disease on the Horizon?
The dramatic decrease in mortality from cardiovascular disease between 1970 and 2010 is one of the greatest successes of modern medicine. In several industrialized countries (particularly North America, Western Europe, Japan, Australia, New Zealand), the mortality rate fell by about 70% during this period, so that in some countries (notably Canada), cardiovascular disease is no […]
My Watch Told Me to Go to the Hospital
The role technology plays in our lives is rapidly evolving. The rise of wearable technology from fitness trackers to the Apple watch has been made possible by the technology getting smaller and faster. Technology is becoming part of us. As these technologies are being developed and tested, there is a need for guidelines to address […]
Cardiac MRI Scans in Patients with Pacemaker Defibrillators
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a completely noninvasive test that uses a magnetic field and radio frequency waves to create detailed pictures of the heart and blood vessels. It depicts the heart wall and valves structure and displays its function. It provides information on the regional and global heart function, valves and their function […]
What is a Normal Heart Rate?
What is a normal heart rate? Everyone wants to know what is normal, especially when it comes to heart health. Basic questions that are often asked or searched on the internet include: How do I determine a heart rate? What is a normal heart rate or pulse rate? What is a normal resting heart rate? […]
What is the best coronary stent for our patients?
Whenever we start a clinical trial to test a new coronary stent we always ask ourself; “what is the best stent for our patients”? Coronary artery disease is a progressive pathological condition that results from atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. As atherosclerosis progresses from damage of the inner layer of the artery, fat or […]
Open Heart Surgery – Incredible Picture Guide!
What is Open Heart Surgery? Traditionally, open heart surgery meant the breastbone being cracked open, providing direct access to the heart, allowing heart surgeons to fix heart problems while the patient is placed on a heart lung machine. Open heart surgery is probably the most widely known and feared of all operations, but in the […]
Heart Flutter
Heart flutter is a nonspecific term often used by people when describing an abnormal sensation in their chest that may refer to one of several conditions which may be benign or may be concerning, including premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), premature atrial contractions (PACs), heart block, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, ventricular tachycardia, POTS, or muscle spasms in […]
TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement): The New Heart Valve Replacing Open Heart Surgery
What Is A TAVR (TAVI)? TAVR is a revolutionary new heart valve treatment most commonly used to treat a tight aortic valve, otherwise known as aortic stenosis, TAVR stands for ‘transcatheter aortic valve replacement’, it is also commonly referred to as TAVI, which stands for ‘transcatheter aortic valve implantation’. TAVR and TAVI are the same thing. Transcatheter […]