Pulmonary hypertension causes high blood pressure (hypertension) in the blood vessels that connect your heart and lungs (pulmonary arteries). PAH is pulmonary hypertension that is caused by a progressive (gets worse over time) disease. This pamphlet explains what causes PAH, why you have been referred to the PAH Program, how the PAH Program will help you, and how PAH is treated.
A VAD acts like the heart’s ventricle by pumping blood throughout the body. This pamphlet describes the types of VADs, what will happen during surgery, risks, and what to expect after. The French version of this pamphlet 1853, "Dispositifs d’assistance ventriculaire (DAV)", is also available.
An echocardiogram is a test to measure the size, shape, movement, and flow of blood through the heart. This pamphlet reviews how to get ready for the test, who will do the test, what will happen during and after the test, and how long it will take. The French version of this pamphlet 1744, "Échocardiogramme", is also available.
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.
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.
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…
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…
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…
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.
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…
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…
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. The French version of this pamphlet 1913, "Cathétérisme cardiaque droit - Halifax Infirmary", is also available.
Ce test aide votre cardiologue (spĂ©cialiste du cÅ“ur) Ă trouver la cause de votre problème cardiaque et Ă vous recommander un traitement. La prĂ©sente brochure explique comment vous prĂ©parer pour le test, la façon dont il est fait, les risques qui s’y rattachent et les soins après l’intervention. ; This pamphlet is a French translation of "Right Heart Catheterization Test - Halifax Infirmary" pamphlet 0392. This test will help your cardiologist (heart doctor) find the cause of your heart problem …
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 Ă l’effort", is also available.
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.
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…
This guide explains levels of limb amputation, who is on your health care team, what will happen before surgery, and what to expect after surgery.
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.
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.
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. The French version of this pamphlet 1944, "Vivre avec un stimulateur cardiaque (pacemaker)", is also available.