Heart Care in Ottawa

Whether you’re having symptoms of a potential heart problem or need medical intervention to get your heart health back on track, we can help. AdventHealth Ottawa offers a full range of non-invasive cardiovascular imaging to help determine the exact cause of your symptoms and find potential issues before they become a serious problem. These tests include:

• 64-slice CT scan and angiography
• Echocardiography
• Electrocardiogram
• Exercise stress testing

Our cardiopulmonary care specialists combine the best of respiratory care and cardiac care to keep your lungs and heart healthy. At our pulmonary clinic in Ottawa, we offer specialized cardiopulmonary function testing, lung function testing and treatment for all types of lung diseases. We also offer a sleep disorders laboratory and smoking cessation program.

Sometimes, the best way to view the inside of your heart is through nuclear imaging. With a variety of advanced, non-invasive cardiovascular imaging studies — including myocardial perfusion imaging (nuclear stress tests) — the heart care experts at AdventHealth Ottawa can evaluate your heart function and detect coronary artery disease.

Having heart disease shouldn’t mean giving up all the things you love. Our heart care team is here to help you manage your heart condition and achieve whatever you have in your sights.

After heart surgery, we’re here to support you with a personalized care plan that includes education, exercise, counseling and therapy. Our nationally certified heart care program is led by experts all cheering you on as you navigate the road to recovery.

The Cardiac Rehabilitation Program at AdventHealth Ottawa is a medically supervised program designed to improve cardiovascular health in persons whose heart function is impaired. Patients enrolled in the program are given support and guidance in achieving cardiovascular fitness through exercise and nutrition. The goals of the program are:

• To increase exercise tolerance and overall strength, stamina and flexibility
• To decrease anxiety and enhance self-confidence
• To make lifestyle changes which help control cardiac risk factors (obesity, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, smoking, and stress)
• To gain confidence and a sense of security needed to resume normal activities.

The Cardiac Rehabilitation Program is flexible, allowing patients to follow an exercise plan tailored to their capabilities and requirements.

Participants in the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program receive one-on-one instruction and encouragement from Program Staff. Areas that are covered include:

• Reducing the potential of a new heart attack through risk factor modification
• Recognizing heart disease signs and symptoms, and when to seek medical treatment
• Recovering from heart disease
• Beginning a personalized exercise program that is effective, safe, and appropriate for your health, age, and physical ability
• Understanding your cardiac medications
• Dietary education
• Lowering your cholesterol through good nutrition and physical activity
• Progressing your physical activity at work and leisure
• Starting a home exercise program and purchasing exercise equipment
• Preparing for your return to work.

To become eligible for the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, a patient should obtain authorization from his or her personal physician.

The program is ideally suited to persons who have undergone a heart attack, cardiovascular bypass surgery, angioplasty or other major heart conditions within the past 12 months.

A physician advisor directs the program; specially trained registered nurses provide patient education and assist during exercise sessions. The staff will evaluate the patient’s progress, overall strength and flexibility to aid in planning an individual exercise program. A written record is kept of daily sessions, and the patient’s personal physician receives written progress reports.

Cardiac Rehabilitation has been approved by Medicare and may be covered by private insurance carriers. Patients not insured by Medicare may wish to review their policy or contact their insurance company to confirm coverage for this service.

The Phase III Cardiac Rehabilitation program allows patients to continue their exercise program at the hospital. The patient receives instructions from hospital staff as to what level of exercise they should be participating in, what their target heart rate should be, and the signs and symptoms of exercise intolerance. Limited monitoring from the staff is also provided. Participants are responsible for paying the fee for this program.