Cardiology

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 is 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 10 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 build up 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
• Eating a healthy, well balanced diet
• Maintaining a healthy body weight
• Reducing alcohol intake

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

• 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 Men’s Health?

Our clinic provides a host of cardiac diagnostic testing in order to complete comprehensive assessments and ensure that your heart health is well managed and followed. These services include:

• Echocardiography 
• Electrocardiograms (ECG/EKG)
• Continuous cardiac monitoring (Holter monitors)
• Blood pressure monitors (24 hour blood pressure monitoring)
• Cardiac stress testing for the diagnosis of ischemic heart disease, valvular hemodynamic assessment, and arrhythmia investigation.

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

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. If you don't have a family doctor, please click here to book an appointment with one of ours who would be happy to see you. Our Family Physicians will help determine if you require an assessment by a Cardiologist and, if you want to see one within Unify Men’s Health, can help set this up as soon as possible, and sometimes the very same day.