Welcome to the Icardio.ca website, a source of information and popularization dedicated to cardiology.
Please note that this site is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for medical consultation with a healthcare professional.
Icardio.ca is intended to be a support tool for the patient, an extension of the medical consultation. Written in simple, easy-to-understand language, it provides a better comprehension of the structure and functioning of the heart. This is the basis for understanding cardiovascular disease, the diagnostic approach, and the challenges of therapies.
It is also an educational reference for students in the health field and is suitable as well for anyone who wants to know more about cardiology.
Similarly, Icardio.ca is proving to be a very useful reference tool for doctors concerned about their patients’ understanding.
At Icardio.ca, we know that patients can sometimes feel concerned when they see a health professional. Time is often limited, questions are numerous, and understanding the state of one’s heart condition can be complex.
We aim to fill these gaps by providing in-depth general information, which can also be used as a complement to a medical consultation.
Likewise, we aim to be a valuable and appreciated resource for doctors, supporting them in the explanations they provide to their patients, and helping them to gain a clear and precise understanding of their heart problem and its treatment.
Cardiology is a medical specialty that evolves constantly. Technological advances, cutting-edge diagnostic methods, and innovative treatments are improving the quality of life of patients with heart conditions and, in some cases, prolonging their lives.
New treatment options, including the use of hemodynamic catheters, offer a variety of solutions to traditional cardiac surgery in special cases.
Icardio.ca is committed to reporting on the latest advances in cardiology and helping to better understand treatment options for optimal heart health.
The way care is provided has changed significantly over the past few decades. We have moved from paternalism, where the doctor was the only one with the absolute science, to a patient-centered approach to care.
That concept was not ideal as it left the patient with several concerns. The patient’s care should have been more personalized.
Adding the patient-experience approach to the team of caregivers enables the patient to fully understand what is happening. He can then interact with the medical team and actively participate in his treatment plan.
All too often, the reality of the patient’s life is overlooked. Who can best answer questions about his day-to-day way of life? Or, who can fully imagine the confusion and anxiety that a person went through before arriving at the discomfort he feels today?
The patient-partner approach is this new concept of care in which the patient is as much a part of the team as any other healthcare provider, including a peer who previously benefitted from this innovative patient-partner initiative.
A sedentary lifestyle related to desk work is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Risk factors do not simply add together — they interact and amplify one another, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Simple changes, repeated over time, can lead to lasting improvements in health.
Ivabradine (Lancora™) is a medication used in certain forms of heart failure to slow the heart rate. Learn how it works, its benefits, possible side effects including phosphenes, and the precautions associated with this treatment.
Entresto™ (sacubitril/valsartan) is a medication used to treat certain forms of heart failure. Learn how it works, its benefits, possible side effects, and the precautions associated with this modern heart failure treatment.
Diuretics are a large family of medications that act on the kidneys. They are divided into several categories, three of which are discussed here.
Although they share a common effect — helping eliminate excess fluid that may accumulate in areas such as the legs or lungs (edema) — each type has distinct characteristics. Some agents also help lower bloodBlood is composed of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide. White blood cells make up our immune defense system. Platelets contribute to blood pressure or improve heart function in people with heart failure.
Akira Endo is the Japanese biochemist behind the discovery of statins, a class of medications that transformed the prevention of cardiovascular disease. This article retraces the story of his research, the development of the first statins, and their major impact on reducing heart attacks and cardiovascular mortality.
MitraClip is a non-surgical procedure used to treat mitral regurgitation. Performed by catheter, it reduces valve leakage without open-heart surgery. It is mainly intended for patients at high surgical risk.
Dr. Russell Ross profoundly transformed the understanding of atherosclerosis by demonstrating that atherosclerotic plaque is a dynamic inflammatory disease rather than a simple passive cholesterolCholesterol is essential for the proper functioning of the human body, but it can also have harmful effects if present in excess. >> deposit. This article retraces his major discoveries and explains how they changed the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.
Coronary arteryThe two coronary arteries, the right and the left, form the blood network that supplies the heart with oxygen and nutrients. They are located directly on the surface of the heart and branch into smaller vessels that disease can progress silently and trigger a sudden event, even after reassuring test results. Understanding the role of atherosclerotic plaque and the importance of prevention helps reduce risk.
Stress cardiac MRI is a precise imaging test that evaluates how the heart functions when stimulated to simulate physical effort. It helps detect signs of reduced bloodBlood is composed of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide. White blood cells make up our immune defense system. Platelets contribute to blood supply to the heart muscle. Safe and carefully supervised, it complements the assessment of coronary arteryThe two coronary arteries, the right and the left, form the blood network that supplies the heart with oxygen and nutrients. They are located directly on the surface of the heart and branch into smaller vessels that disease.
A resting cardiac MRI is a precise imaging test used to evaluate the structure and function of the heart without using radiation. It is well tolerated and helps diagnose several heart conditions. The results are sent to the physician who ordered the test for follow-up discussion.
For a long time, the cause of myocardial infarction remained poorly understood. Initially attributed to a gradual blockage of the arteries, it is now recognized as a frequently sudden event related to the formation of a bloodBlood is composed of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide. White blood cells make up our immune defense system. Platelets contribute to blood clot. This discovery, confirmed in the 1970s, transformed cardiology and led to the development of effective treatments.
Cannabis, which is becoming increasingly accessible, can have real effects on the heart and circulation. It may raise heart rate, increase bloodBlood is composed of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide. White blood cells make up our immune defense system. Platelets contribute to blood pressure, and elevate the risk of cardiovascular events, particularly in individuals who are already at risk. Even though it is authorized, it is not without harm.
