News

CCC 2014: Seeing Inside the Heart

At the 2014 Canadian Cardiovascular Congress and American Heart Association Scientific Sessions, Heart Institute researchers presented several studies that tested novel ways to visualize the heart’s structure and function. Developing methods to predict which plaques in the arteries may be at high

AHA 2014 Highlights

Research from around the world was presented at the 2014 American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions in November. The following highlights range from large drug trials to new information about the causes and of heart disease and the value of good heart health. Preventing Clots Following

CCC and AHA 2014 Conference Highlights

Read detailed coverage of CCC and AHA 2014 – highlights include text messaging and mobile apps for health promotion, updates on atrial fibrillation and the future of cardiac rehabilitation. CCC 2014: Presentations and Activities Schedule (pdf) AHA 2014: Presentations and Activities Schedule (pdf)

CCC 2014: Gaining Weight Over Time Can Start the Process of Heart Disease

The arteries in our body are lined with a layer of cells called the endothelium. The very first step in the development of cardiovascular disease—the primary cause of heart attack and stroke—takes place when the endothelium begins to function abnormally. In research presented at the Canadian

CCC 2014:Heart Institute Program Guide

The Canadian Cardiovascular Congress travels to the West Coast this year. With topics ranging from sedentary behaviour to stem cells, the University of Ottawa Heart Institute has more than 90 items on the program at CCC 2014. Our program guide will help you find them all. Presentations and

Global Ranking Confirms the High Impact of Heart Institute Research

The latest global ranking of research organizations from Scimago Institutions Rankings (SIR) recognizes the continued excellence and vitality of research at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, placing it 159th out of 4,851 institutions worldwide, across all fields of study. In Canada, the

Ottawa to Become National Hub for Medical Device Commercialization

Much of modern health care is made possible by medical devices—the countless tools, equipment and instruments used in health care delivery and patient care. Pocket glucose monitors that check blood sugar levels on the go. Specialized retractors that support new surgical techniques. Cardiac stents

Aortic Disease: The Elephant in the Room

Aortic disease is often referred to as a silent condition because there are usually no symptoms to alert either the patient or doctor. The consequences, however, can be catastrophic, as in the case of an aortic dissection—a tear in the wall of this major artery. Rapid diagnosis and treatment are

Too Much Sodium Linked to 1.65 Million Deaths Annually

According to a recent Harvard University study, each year 1.65 million people die worldwide from high-sodium diets that lead to heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular disease. The review of existing research found that most people eat far more salt than recommended, and salt is a major

Researchers Uncover Mechanism Used by the Brain to Control Blood Pressure

For decades, researchers have known that the brain controls the diameter of the peripheral arteries, the vessels that carry blood to the arms, legs, hands and feet. Electrical impulses from the brain travel to these arteries through a network of nerves known as the sympathetic nervous system