Nova Scotia Health Authority. Heart Health Portfolio. Halifax, NS: Nova Scotia Health Authority , 2023.

Pamphlet Number

0016

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This pamphlet answers questions you may have after having a heart attack. Lowering your risk factors for heart disease, heart healthy eating, coping with stress, activity, exercises, checking your heart rate, warning signs you are doing too much, medications and how to use nitro spray are covered. Directions for managing chest pain or discomfort at home are given.

Nova Scotia Health Authority. QEII. Inherited Heart Disease Clinic. Halifax, NS: Nova Scotia Health Authority , 2023.

Pamphlet Number

0631

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Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy thickens the heart muscle. It usually affects the wall between the 2 bottom chambers (called the septum). When the muscle thickens, it gets stiff. This makes it hard for the bottom chambers to relax and fill with blood before each heartbeat. Thick heart muscle can cause scar tissue. Scar tissue can put you at a higher risk of dangerous, fast heart rhythms. The pamphlet gives the cause of HCM, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. Further resources are also given.

Nova Scotia Health Authority. QEII. Inherited Heart Disease Clinic. Halifax, NS: Nova Scotia Health Authority , 2023.

Pamphlet Number

0630

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In arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), some of your heart muscle is replaced by fat and scar tissue. ARVC usually affects the right side of the heart. The fat and scar tissue dilate (stretch) the right side of your heart. This weakens the heart muscle. This makes it harder for your heart to pump blood out to your body. If your ARVC is very bad, it may cause fluid to build up in your lungs (causing shortness of breath), ankles, or belly (causing swelling). ARVC can also chang…

Nova Scotia Health Authority. QEII. Inherited Heart Disease Clinic. Halifax, NS: Nova Scotia Health Authority , 2023.

Pamphlet Number

0629

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In dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), the heart muscle becomes weak. This makes it harder for the heart to pump blood out to the body. This causes the bottom chambers to dilate (stretch). A weak heart can also cause fluid to build up in your lungs (causing shortness of breath), ankles, or belly (causing swelling). DCM may also change your heart's electrical activity. This can cause fast heart rhythms. The pamphlet gives the causes of DCM, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. Further resources also gi…

Nova Scotia Health Authority. QEII. Inherited Heart Disease Clinic. Halifax, NS: Nova Scotia Health Authority , 2023.

Pamphlet Number

1021

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LQTS is a rare disease that can change your heart's electrical activity. With LQTS, the channels in your heart cells do not open and close the way they should. This can cause abnormal heart rhythms. These abnormal heart rhythms are dangerous. You heart may beat so fast that it cannot pump blood out to your body. These abnormal heart rhythms can make you collapse (faint). If the rhythm does not stop, they can cause sudden death. The pamphlet provides the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, a…

Nova Scotia Health Authority. QEII. Cardiac Services. Halifax, NS: Nova Scotia Health Authority , 2023.

Pamphlet Number

0013

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This one-sided, single sheet pamphlet gives a basic illustration of the coronary arteries. It is to be used as a teaching reference for staff and their patients. This pamphlet outlines the right coronary artery, aorta, pulmonary artery, left coronary artery, left main artery, circumflex branch, and left anterior descending artery.

Nova Scotia Health Authority. QEII. Cardiovascular Surgery. Halifax, NS: Nova Scotia Health Authority , 2023.

Pamphlet Number

1731

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This pamphlet was created by the Cardiovascular Surgery Department at Nova Scotia Health to give you and your support persons information about getting heart surgery. It has information about what you can do before your surgery to help it go well, what will happen during your hospital stay, and what you can do after your surgery to have a good recovery. Topics include discharge (leaving the hospital) planning, your surgery timeline, your health care team, information about the heart and your su…

Nova Scotia Health Authority. QEII. Inherited Heart Disease Clinic. Halifax, NS: Nova Scotia Health Authority , 2023.

Pamphlet Number

1773

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Brugada syndrome is a rare disease that can change your heart's electrical activity. With Brugada syndrome, the channels in your heart do not open and close the way they should. This can cause abnormal heart rhythms. These abnormal heart rhythems are dangerous. Your heart may beat so fast that it cannot pump blood out to your body. The abnormal heart rhythms can cause make you collapse (faint). If the rhythm does not stop, it can cause sudden death. The pamphlet provides the causes, symptoms, d…

Nova Scotia Health Authority. QEII. Halifax Infirmary. Cardiac Services. Halifax, NS: Nova Scotia Health Authority , 2023.

Pamphlet Number

0392

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A right heart catheterization is a test to find out how well your heart muscle is working. This test will help your cardiologist (heart doctor) find the cause of your heart problem and recommend treatment. This pamphlet explains how to get ready for the test, how the test is done, risks, and care after the test. Symptoms that need medical attention are listed. The French version of this pamphlet 1913, "Cathétérisme cardiaque droit", is also available.

Nova Scotia Health Authority. Cardiac Services. Halifax, NS: Nova Scotia Health Authority , 2023.

Pamphlet Number

0005

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An exercise ECG/EKG (electrocardiogram) stress test measures your heart’s reaction to activity. It is sometimes called an exercise test or a treadmill test. This pamphlet explains why and how an exercise ECG/EKG stress test is done, how to get ready for the test, how long the test takes, and when you will get the results. A list of symptoms to tell your technologist and/or doctor about is included. The French version of this pamphlet 2095, "ECG à l’effort", is also available.

Nova Scotia Health Authority. QEII. Inherited Heart Disease Clinic. Halifax, NS: Nova Scotia Health Authority , 2023.

Pamphlet Number

2083

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CPVT affects the way heart cell channels respond to adrenaline. It causes extra heartbeats to start in the bottom chambers of your heart. This can make the heart beat too fast. Your heart might beat so fast that it cannot pump blood out to your body. These abnormal heart rhythms can make you collapse (faint). If the rhythm does not stop, it can cause sudden death. The pamphlet provides the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatments, and activity guidelines. Further resources are also given.

Nova Scotia Health Authority. QE II. Halifax Infirmary. Inherited Heart Disease Clinic. Halifax, NS: Nova Scotia Health Authority , 2023.

Pamphlet Number

2088

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The Inherited Heart Disease Clinic is for people with a suspected or diagnosed heart problem that may be inherited (passed from parents to their children). The Clinic offers genetic testing (blood tests) and helps people manage their condition. You can be diagnosed with inherited heart disease at any age. You may have a wide range of symptoms, from no symptoms at all to sudden cardiac death (your heart stops working). This pamphlet explains the roles of the Clinic team members, how to get refer…

Nova Scotia Health Authority. Heart Rhythm Service. Halifax, NS: Nova Scotia Health Authority , 2023.

Pamphlet Number

0595

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Electrophysiology studies (EPS) are procedures that check your heart’s electrical system. This electrical system is what organizes the heart muscle to pump blood efficiently to your body. This pamphlet explains why and how an EPS is done, how to get ready for the procedure, how long it takes, and what to expect after. A list of symptoms that need to be checked by a doctor in the Emergency Department is included.

Nova Scotia Health Authority. QE II. Cardiology 6.2. Halifax, NS: Nova Scotia Health Authority , 2023.

Pamphlet Number

2373

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This Passport will help you take an active part in treating your heart failure. You can use it to record daily measurements (like your weight, blood pressure, heart rate, symptoms, and how you are feeling) and any medications you are taking. It can also help you to understand your disease better and learn about the importance of making changes to your lifestyle.

Nova Scotia Health Authority. Heart Health. Halifax, NS: Nova Scotia Health Authority , 2022.

Pamphlet Number

0019

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A pacemaker is used to prevent your heart from beating too slowly. It can also be used to make your heart beat faster to suit your activity. You will need to have surgery to have the device placed in your body. This pamphlet explains how your heart beats, what happens if you have problems with your heartbeat, what a pacemaker is, how the procedure is done, what will happen after your procedure, and your care at home. A list of symptoms that require you to call 911 is included. The French versi…

Nova Scotia Health Authority. Cardiology. Halifax, NS: Nova Scotia Health Authority , 2022.

Pamphlet Number

0393

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Cardioversion is used to treat heart rhythm problems. During a cardioversion, an electrical shock is given to your heart. This pamphlet explains getting ready for the procedure, how the procedure is done, and recovery. The French version of this pamphlet 1726, "Avant et après une cardioversion", is also available.

Nova Scotia Health Authority. Heart Health. Halifax, NS: Nova Scotia Health Authority , 2022.

Pamphlet Number

0241

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An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) finds and corrects dangerous fast heart rates that start in the bottom of your heart. The device is also a pacemaker, which can treat slow heart rates. You will need surgery to have the device placed in your body. This pamphlet explains how your heart beats, what happens if you have problems with your heartbeat, what an ICD is, and what will happen after your procedure. Instructions on follow-up, care at home, and when to call your primary health…

Nova Scotia Health Authority. Cardiac Services. Halifax, NS: Nova Scotia Health Authority , 2022.

Pamphlet Number

0331

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This test uses sound waves (ultrasound) to take pictures of your heart. During this test, a flexible tube is passed through your mouth, down your throat, and into your esophagus (swallowing tube that connects your mouth and stomach). There is a special probe on the end of the tube. The pamphlet describes getting ready for the test, how the test is done, and care after the test.

Nova Scotia Health Authority. Cardiac Services. Halifax, NS: Nova Scotia Health Authority , 2022.

Pamphlet Number

0698

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Your coronary arteries supply blood to your heart. A DSE is done to find out if there are any blockages in these arteries and, if so, how severe they are.This test may be done when the usual tests for this problem cannot be done or have given inconclusive results. The pamphlet describes getting ready for the test, who will do the test, what happens during the test, and what to expect after.

Nova Scotia Health Authority. Cardiac Services. Halifax, NS: Nova Scotia Health Authority , 2022.

Pamphlet Number

0974

Available Online

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A cardiac event recorder (loop recorder) records the electrical activity of your heart. You can use a loop recorder while you are at home and doing your usual activities. It will only record your heart activity when you press a button. A cardiac technologist will show you how to use the recorder. This pamphlet explains how to use the loop recorder, whether you can bathe or shower with the loop recorder, and what to do if you have problems with the recorder. Information on how to return the reco…