Central East Regional Cardiac Care Program: February is time for a Heart to Heart

THE Central East Regional Cardiac Care Program for the Scarborough-Durham area is offering its annual Heart to Heart community cardiac clinics as part of Heart Month.

 

Now in its fourth year, the clinics will be held during February at community locations from Scarborough to Oshawa. Healthcare professionals from the regional cardiac care program — including cardiovascular rehabilitation exercise therapists and cardiac diagnostic technicians — will be on hand to perform blood pressure tests and provide brief consultations on heart disease risk factors. Staff will also be offering information on: what to do if you are having a cardiac emergency (start with calling 911); heart disease prevention; and how to become more heart healthy.

 

The regional cardiac program provides access to leading state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, and specialized cardiac services — all closer to home for patients in Scarborough and Durham. Regional services include: cardiac catheterization and intervention procedures (for unblocking blood vessels in the heart); arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) studies, treatment and management; and cardiovascular rehabilitation and education. Rouge Valley Health System (RVHS) is the designated regional cardiac care centre, delivering care in partnership with The Scarborough Hospital, Lakeridge Health, and the Central East Local Health Integration Network.

 

“Our regional cardiac care program is here for you at all stages of your heart health journey,” says Dr. Joe Ricci, program chief of cardiology at RVHS. “Heart Month is a perfect opportunity to learn about the services available in Scarborough and Durham, from life-saving emergency cardiac procedures, to life-changing cardiovascular rehabilitation. If you want to improve the quality of your heart health, our cardiac care team is here to help. This February, you can meet with us just by heading to your local mall or community centre.”

 

When and where

The community is invited to the Heart to Heart clinics at the following locations:

 

 

Malvern Town Centre, 31 Tapscott Road, Scarborough

Saturday, Feb. 7, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

 

Scarborough Town Centre, 300 Borough Drive, Scarborough

Saturday, Feb. 14, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

Pickering Town Centre, 1355 Kingston Road, Pickering

Saturday, Feb. 21, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

Oshawa Legends Centre, 1661 Harmony Road North, Oshawa

Wednesday, Feb. 25, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.