Hypertension Clinic

The Hypertension Clinic is a specialized outpatient cardiac clinic for the care of patients with high blood pressure. Cardiologist Frans Leenen, MD, PhD, established the clinic in 1990 to help patients requiring high blood pressure diagnosis, treatment and/or management. Dr. Hassan Mir and Dr. Melih Basar are physicians currently treating patients at the clinic.

Due to high demand, the clinic focuses on:

• patients in whom secondary causes of hypertension are suspected;
• patients experiencing chronic hypertension after a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy;
• uncontrolled hypertension despite three or more anti-hypertensive agents, or due to multiple medication intolerances;
• uncontrolled hypertension in patients with established cardiovascular disease.

Family physicians and other specialists may refer patients to the clinic by completing the referral form (PDF) and submitting it by fax to 613-696-7155.

Family physicians and other specialists may also request 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring  through the Cardiac Diagnostic Centre at the Heart Institute. Please complete the referral form (PDF) and submit it to the Cardiac Diagnostic Centre by fax to 613-696-7098.

What to expect

Clinic staff provide:

• medical assessment and follow up;
• personalized testing and treatment to meet the patients needs;
• assistance with managing lifestyle and medication therapies for hypertension;
• ongoing patient and family education about hypertension, diet, lifestyle, and chronic disease management;

Once patients reach and maintain their blood pressure targets, they are discharged from the clinic to continue follow up for hypertension with their general practitioner.

Patient information

Hypertension occurs when the long-term force of the blood against the  walls of the arteries is too high. Over time, this can damage the arteries and organs they supply (most commonly the heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes). For this reason, it is important to have your blood pressure checked regularly. If a diagnosis of hypertension is made, it is important to lower the blood pressure to normal levels through a healthy lifestyle and, often, the use of blood pressure medications. The target blood pressure will vary among individuals, based on other conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disease, or a history of heart attack or stroke.

Patient resources

• Hypertension: A guide for patients and caregivers
• Recording your blood pressure measurements (PDF)
• How to measure your blood pressure with a home monitor (YouTube)
• Coming for a clinic appointment
• Understanding and managing your blood pressure
• Getting a handle on hypertension
• Sodium linked to 1.65 million deaths annually