This program has been developed for people with or without known heart disease who may or may not be aware (or require monitoring) of their risk factors including:
High Blood Cholesterol and Lipids
High Blood Pressure
Obesity
Smoking
Family History of heart disease
It has been well demonstrated by various studies that Cardiac Prevention has been able to significantly reduce heart attacks and strokes.1
Cardiac Protection Plan
1. Assessment by our Cardiac Program Coordinating Physician
Physical Exam
12-lead ECG
Blood test
Patient will be required to bring any pertinent medical information about pre-existing cardiac conditions. For proper blood tests, patients may be required to fast after midnight the night before.
2. Cardiac Echo examination – One hour
This Ultrasound test is done at rest and will fully assess the heart size, valves and pumping efficiency.
3. 24 hour Holter ( 45 minute hook up time) & Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitor tests
These tests will assess the heart rhythm and blood pressure throughout a 24 hour period and pick up on abnormalities in heart rhythm and blood pressure variations.
This requires for the patient to have had a shower the morning of the hook up as he/she will not be allowed to bath or shower for a period of 24 hours after Holter hook up while wearing the monitors.
Note: The Ambulatory Blood Pressure and Holter test will be done only when required and indicated.
4. Stress Test
This Stress test will record and evaluate the heart’s activity during exercise; it allows detection of any potential and silent problems with established coronary artery disease. This test will be undertaken a week after the initial workup above to allow the physicians to review the tests already completed ahead of time.
Note: A Stress Echo test with ultrasound may be used if required.
5. Cardiologist
Finally, a meeting with the Cardiologist for history, physical assessment of the cardiac system, and review and interpretation of the cardiac investigations completed. This allows for establishment of your current health status and risk stratification. Additionally, if an as yet unrecognized cardiac condition is picked up, the Cardiac Protection Plan will allow you to know if there is a need for further intervention and an appropriate treatment plan can be outlined.
Additional Services
Dietician & Cardiovascular Exercise Specialist
Meeting with Dietician, and if indicated, with an Exercise Specialist for counselling regarding dietary and exercise prescription.
CT Coronary Angiogram
It is a non-invasive method of assessing the coronary arteries for any blockages. It will be done under specific circumstances where is indicated and if patient agrees to proceed.
1. References:
A clinical study which speaks of the merits of CCTA in diagnosis (with precise accuracy and definition) of coronary artery disease and determining risk for imminent (i.e. within 18 months) cardiac events.
A clinical study which speaks of the merits of CT calcium risk scoring in assessing risk of coronary artery disease and flagging potential coronary events.
A clinical study which shows the importance of stress testing to determine 6 year risk for a cardiac event.
A clinical study which shows the importance of screening for silent (or asymptomatic) coronary artery disease, which may need urgent treatment.
A review of clinical studies which indicates an echocardiogram’s value in the screening of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (a hidden heart defect, which is the number one killer by sudden cardiac death in the young).
A clinical study which speaks to the importance of Holter Monitoring in the screening of Sick Sinus Syndrome (chronic slowing of the heart rate, which when diagnosted early may explain fatigue – partiularly in the elderly.
Why enrol in a Cardiology Preventive Plan?
This program has been developed for people with or without known heart disease who may or may not be aware (or require monitoring) of their risk factors including:
It has been well demonstrated by various studies that Cardiac Prevention has been able to significantly reduce heart attacks and strokes.1
Cardiac Protection Plan
1. Assessment by our Cardiac Program Coordinating Physician
Patient will be required to bring any pertinent medical information about pre-existing cardiac conditions. For proper blood tests, patients may be required to fast after midnight the night before.
2. Cardiac Echo examination – One hour
This Ultrasound test is done at rest and will fully assess the heart size, valves and pumping efficiency.
3. 24 hour Holter ( 45 minute hook up time) & Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitor tests
These tests will assess the heart rhythm and blood pressure throughout a 24 hour period and pick up on abnormalities in heart rhythm and blood pressure variations.
This requires for the patient to have had a shower the morning of the hook up as he/she will not be allowed to bath or shower for a period of 24 hours after Holter hook up while wearing the monitors.
Note: The Ambulatory Blood Pressure and Holter test will be done only when required and indicated.
4. Stress Test
This Stress test will record and evaluate the heart’s activity during exercise; it allows detection of any potential and silent problems with established coronary artery disease. This test will be undertaken a week after the initial workup above to allow the physicians to review the tests already completed ahead of time.
Note: A Stress Echo test with ultrasound may be used if required.
5. Cardiologist
Finally, a meeting with the Cardiologist for history, physical assessment of the cardiac system, and review and interpretation of the cardiac investigations completed. This allows for establishment of your current health status and risk stratification. Additionally, if an as yet unrecognized cardiac condition is picked up, the Cardiac Protection Plan will allow you to know if there is a need for further intervention and an appropriate treatment plan can be outlined.
Additional Services
Dietician & Cardiovascular Exercise Specialist
Meeting with Dietician, and if indicated, with an Exercise Specialist for counselling regarding dietary and exercise prescription.
CT Coronary Angiogram
It is a non-invasive method of assessing the coronary arteries for any blockages. It will be done under specific circumstances where is indicated and if patient agrees to proceed.
1. References: