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A comprehensive, world class patient experience

How we can help

A patient experience isn’t truly world class unless it’s comprehensive. We make all diagnostic services available to our patients and our close relationship with North York General Hospital has also allowed us to offer a Rapid Access Program for patients requiring urgent consultations.
General and Advanced
Clinical Cardiology

General Cardiology

Cardiac patients may experience symptoms like palpitations (a racing heart), chest discomfort, difficulty breathing, or loss of consciousness. Sometimes, these symptoms may be concerning and require an assessment by a cardiologist.

Electrophysiology

Electrical disorders of the heart cause rhythm abnormalities. These abnormalities, called “arrhythmias,” result in heart rates that are either too fast or too slow. Common arrhythmias include atrial fibrillation and slow heart rates requiring a pacemaker. Less common life-threatening arrhythmias require a consultation by an electrophysiologist.

Heart Failure

Your heart is a muscle. Just like any muscle, it can get weak or stiff for many reasons affecting its ability to pump blood. When this occurs, you may have difficulty breathing, swelling in your feet, or lower energy levels. Symptoms may improve with the right medications, but some cases may require more advanced therapies.

Valvular Heart Disease

We all have valves in our heart that prevent blood from flowing in the wrong direction. Over time, your valve may become stiff, causing it to not open completely or begin to leak. Blood begins to flow in the opposite direction as a result. You may experience symptoms that require your valve to be replaced.
Advanced Cardiac
Diagnostics and Imaging

Echocardiography

A specialized cardiac ultrasound that assesses the heart’s size, structure, function, and competence of its valves.
Preparation:
There is no preparation for an echocardiogram.
Duration:
45 minutes.
What to expect:
Your blood pressure will be checked, and ECG leads will be attached to your chest. Ultrasound gel will be applied to your chest and the technologist will use an ultrasound probe to acquire the necessary imaging.
Results:
The results of the echocardiogram will be reviewed and reported by a cardiologist. The final report will be sent to your family physician.
SERVICE-ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY
SERVICE-CONTRAST-ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY

Contrast Echocardiography

Specialized cardiac ultrasound with the addition of a contrast agent to better view and analyze the structure of the heart.
Preparation:
There is no preparation for a contrast echocardiogram.
Duration:
60 minutes.
What to expect:
An echocardiogram will be performed by a technologist. An IV will be inserted into your hand or arm by the technologist and contrast agent will be injected to better view the structures of the heart.
Results:

The results of the contrast echocardiogram will be reviewed and reported by a Cardiologist. The final report will be sent to your family physician.

Bubble Study

Specialized cardiac ultrasound with the addition of agitated saline to better view and analyze the structure of the heart.
Preparation:
There is no preparation for a bubble study.
Duration:

60 minutes.

What to expect:
An echocardiogram will be performed by a technologist. An IV will be inserted into your hand or arm by the technologist and an agitated saline solution will be injected into the vein. Images will be taken of the bubbles moving through the chambers of the heart.
Results:
The results of the bubble study will be reviewed and reported by a Cardiologist. The final report will be sent to your family physician.
Bubble-Study -001
Exercise-Stress-Testing -001

Exercise Stress Testing

Stress testing allows for the detection of electrical changes in the heart when blood flow is compromised.
Preparation:
Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Do not consume caffeine 2 hours before your appointment
Duration:
45 minutes.
What to expect:
ECG electrodes will be placed on your chest and hooked up to monitor. A blood pressure cuff will be attached to your arm. You will start walking on a treadmill at a low speed and incline, which will gradually increase until you indicate that you cannot continue.

Stress Echocardiography

Echocardiographic imaging in conjunction with a treadmill exercise stress test to image the heart before and after exercise.
Preparation:
Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Do not consume caffeine 2 hours before your appointment.
Duration:
45 minutes.
What to expect:
ECG leads will be attached to your chest. Ultrasound gel will be applied to your chest and the technologist will use an ultrasound probe to acquire the necessary imaging. After these resting images are obtained, you will be asked to walk on the treadmill. The speed and incline will start low and gradually increase until you feel that you cannot continue. Once the treadmill is stopped, you will be asked to quickly return to the exam bed to take images of your heart as it is exercising.
SERVICE-STRESS-ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY
SERVICE-ELECTROCARDIOGRAM

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

A procedure that measures and records the electrical activity of the heart muscles.
Preparation:
There is no preparation for the ECG.
Duration:

15 minutes.

What to expect:
The technologist will bring you into the exam room and ask you to remove your shirt and lie down on the exam bed. Electrodes and a monitor will be attached to your chest to acquire the ECG.

Ambulatory Holter Monitoring (1-14 days)

Short-term or long-term continuous ECG monitoring allows for the detection of arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms).
Preparation:
There is no preparation for holter monitoring.
Duration:

15 minutes.

What to expect:
Electrodes and wires will be placed on your chest and attached to the holter monitor. You will wear the monitor continuously for the length of time indicated on your referral. You cannot shower or bathe for the duration of the testing. Wireless monitors are available for holter monitoring lasting 7-14 days.
SERVICE-HOLTER
SERVICE-BLOOD-PRESSURE

Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (24 hrs)

A monitor that records your blood pressure over a 24 hour period.
Preparation:

There is no preparation for the blood pressure monitor. This test is not covered by OHIP and there is a $75.00 charge

Duration:

15 minutes.

What to expect:
A blood pressure cuff and monitor will be attached to you. The monitor will check your blood pressure every 30 minutes during the day and every 60 minutes at night.

Nuclear Cardiology – Myocardial Perfusion Scan

The Myocardial Perfusion Scan images blood flow through the coronary arteries.
Preparation:
No solid foods 4 hours before your appointment. No caffeine (tea, coffee, chocolate, soft drinks, Tylenol 1-3) 24 hours prior to the appointment. Consult with your referring physician if beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers should be discontinued 48 hours prior to the appointment. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes and bring a list of all your current medications.
Duration:
Up to 4.5 hours.
What to expect:
An IV will be inserted into your hand or arm and a small amount of radioactive tracer will be administered. An image of your heart will then be taken afterwards under a Gamma camera. Afterwards, you will be prepared for an exercise or medication-induced stress test. You will be given another injection of the radioactive tracer at peak exercise, after which another image of your heart will be captured. Most of the radioactive isotope will be eliminated from your body via urine and the intensity of the radioactivity will diminish over time.
SERVICE-NUCLEAR
Advanced Cardiac
Diagnostics and Imaging

Echocardiography

A specialized cardiac ultrasound that assesses the heart’s size, structure, function, and competence of its valves.
Preparation:
There is no preparation for an echocardiogram.
Duration:
45 minutes.
What to expect:
Your blood pressure will be checked, and ECG leads will be attached to your chest. Ultrasound gel will be applied to your chest and the technologist will use an ultrasound probe to acquire the necessary imaging.
Results:
The results of the echocardiogram will be reviewed and reported by a cardiologist. The final report will be sent to your family physician.
Contrast Echocardiography
Specialized cardiac ultrasound with the addition of a contrast agent to better view and analyze the structure of the heart.
Preparation:
There is no preparation for a contrast echocardiogram.
Duration:
60 minutes.
What to expect:
The results of the contrast echocardiogram will be reviewed and reported by a Cardiologist. The final report will be sent to your family physician.
Results:
The results of the echocardiogram will be reviewed and reported by a cardiologist. The final report will be sent to your family physician.

Bubble Study

Specialized cardiac ultrasound with the addition of agitated saline to better view and analyze the structure of the heart.
Preparation:
There is no preparation for a bubble study.
Duration:
60 minutes.
What to expect:
An echocardiogram will be performed by a technologist. An IV will be inserted into your hand or arm by the technologist and an agitated saline solution will be injected into the vein. Images will be taken of the bubbles moving through the chambers of the heart.
Results:
The results of the bubble study will be reviewed and reported by a Cardiologist. The final report will be sent to your family physician.

Exercise Stress Testing

Stress testing allows for the detection of electrical changes in the heart when blood flow is compromised.
Preparation:
Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Do not consume caffeine 2 hours before your appointment.
Duration:
45 minutes.
What to expect:
ECG electrodes will be placed on your chest and hooked up to monitor. A blood pressure cuff will be attached to your arm. You will start walking on a treadmill at a low speed and incline, which will gradually increase until you indicate that you cannot continue.

Stress Echocardiography

Echocardiographic imaging in conjunction with a treadmill exercise stress test to image the heart before and after exercise.
Preparation:
Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Do not consume caffeine 2 hours before your appointment.
Duration:
45 minutes.
What to expect:
ECG leads will be attached to your chest. Ultrasound gel will be applied to your chest and the technologist will use an ultrasound probe to acquire the necessary imaging. After these resting images are obtained, you will be asked to walk on the treadmill. The speed and incline will start low and gradually increase until you feel that you cannot continue. Once the treadmill is stopped, you will be asked to quickly return to the exam bed to take images of your heart as it is exercising.

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

A procedure that measures and records the electrical activity of the heart muscles.
Preparation:
There is no preparation for the ECG.
Duration:
15 minutes.
What to expect:
The technologist will bring you into the exam room and ask you to remove your shirt and lie down on the exam bed. Electrodes and a monitor will be attached to your chest to acquire the ECG.

Ambulatory Holter Monitoring (1-14 days)

Short-term or long-term continuous ECG monitoring allows for the detection of arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms).
Preparation:
There is no preparation for holter monitoring.
Duration:
15 minutes.
What to expect:
Electrodes and wires will be placed on your chest and attached to the holter monitor. You will wear the monitor continuously for the length of time indicated on your referral. You cannot shower or bathe for the duration of the testing. Wireless monitors are available for holter monitoring lasting 7-14 days.

Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (24 hrs)

A monitor that records your blood pressure over a 24 hour period.
Preparation:
There is no preparation for the blood pressure monitor.
This test is not covered by OHIP and there is a $50.00 charge.
Duration:
15 minutes.
What to expect:
A blood pressure cuff and monitor will be attached to you. The monitor will check your blood pressure every 30 minutes during the day and every 60 minutes at night.

Nuclear Cardiology – Myocardial Perfusion Scan

The Myocardial Perfusion Scan images blood flow through the coronary arteries.
Preparation:
No solid foods 4 hours before your appointment.
No caffeine (tea, coffee, chocolate, soft drinks, Tylenol 1-3) 24 hours prior to the appointment.
Consult with your referring physician if beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers should be discontinued 48 hours prior to the appointment.
Wear comfortable clothing and shoes and bring a list of all your current medications.
Duration:
Up to 4.5 hours.
What to expect:
An IV will be inserted into your hand or arm and a small amount of radioactive tracer will be administered. An image of your heart will then be taken afterwards under a Gamma camera. Afterwards, you will be prepared for an exercise or medication-induced stress test.
You will be given another injection of the radioactive tracer at peak exercise, after which another image of your heart will be captured. Most of the radioactive isotope will be eliminated from your body via urine and the intensity of the radioactivity will diminish over time.