Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) save lives. Knowing how to use an AED correctly is crucial in emergency situations. An AED can be used on anyone experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, including pregnant women. The Canadian Red Cross AED Protocol indicates that no modification is required when using an AED on a pregnant woman. To learn more…
A Heart Disease Diagnosis – Foods to Avoid There is a saying, “you are what you eat.” So if you eat unhealthy foods, you are probably unhealthy, inside and out. The foods we put in our bodies have a direct impact on our overall health, particularly heart health. A diet high in sodium, trans fats…
Coronary Heart Disease vs. Coronary Artery Disease – Are They Different? The terms coronary heart disease and coronary artery disease are often used interchangeably within the medical profession. When a person has a build-up of plaque in his/her heart’s arteries, this is known as coronary heart disease. Plaque presents as a sticky, yellow substance that…
Including physical activity in your every day schedule can be a difficult task, especially if you are at work or school all day. However, physical activity is essential for physical and mental health, especially when you are living with heart disease, stuck at home during this global pandemic, or during the long winter months. These…
In Canada, heart disease accounts for 27% of deaths, about 66,000 annually. Reduce the chance of cardiovascular disease and increase life expectancy by eating healthy, exercising, and taking care of your body, and leave bad habits like smoking and abundant alcohol consumption in the past. Heart disease can not only be prevented but also reduced…
The short answer is, yes. It has been proven that optimism benefits your health both mentally and physically as mental and physical health are deeply connected. Living with heart disease or managing a recent heart disease diagnosis has both a physical and mental impact on your life, and it may leave you feeling anxious as…
Heart disease is quite common in Canada. On average, 6/1000 Canadian adults are newly diagnosed with heart disease each year. For those living with heart disease and those who love someone living with heart disease, it can be difficult to return to a normal life. After your diagnosis or experience, it is important to adjust…
The plant versus animal-sourced protein debate has been a hot topic for a long time now. Thanks to documentaries like Cowspiracy, Forks Over Knives and The Game Changers, people are contemplating their relationship with food, specifically with animal-based protein foods. But what is the truth? Is a plant-based diet better for your heart health? Is…
Debunking the Myth Can an AED Restart the Heart? Is it possible to bring someone who has flatlined back to life with an AED? In short, the answer is ‘no.’ In order for a person who is in SCA to be saved by an AED, their heart must be in fibrillation. This means, the heart…
Major cardiac events are often brought to our attention via media in relation to sports and physical activity, such as that of Jay Bouwmeester – the NHL Player who collapsed from a cardiac episode earlier this year. Though sudden death in people younger than 35 and those who are seemingly healthy is rare, participating in…