News

In 2017 I was scheduled to undergo heart surgery at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI) and was asked to sign a consent form acknowledging that the risks associated with the surgery had been fully explained to me, and that I understood and accepted them. This notion of informed consent is an extremely powerful one in health care – and in research involving…

Dr. Liu urges Canadians to get vaccinated. Listen to the interview.   Heart Institute scientist says “get vaccinated as soon as possible”  In April, The Beat interviewed Dr. Peter Liu, the University of Ottawa Heart Institute’s chief scientific officer, about coronavirus variants and how they are changing the pandemic landscape in Canada. Dr. Liu then appeared on an episode of The Heartwise Podcast (recorded…

  Three heart transplants in a single day, a 2,500-year-old mummy, a Royal visit. Safe to say a lot has happened over the last 45 years.     The early years: Canadian firsts, big strides in innovation, and a Royal visit Founder Dr. Wilbert J. Keon’s vision is to create an integrated heart centre where cardiology, surgery, anesthesiology, and nursing are integrated for patient…

    Dr. F. Daniel Ramirez is a cardiac electrophysiologist and clinician-scientist in the Division of Cardiology at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI). He bounced around between Kingston and Ottawa while completing his early medical training, and later studied in Bordeaux, France, before returning to the UOHI. The Beat caught up with Dr. Ramirez to learn more about his journey to becoming a…

The Scotiabank Charity Challenge is back virtually once again for 2021. Help support the groundbreaking research being done at the Heart Institute by participating in Team Heart. Be part of Team Heart and run for research! Raise more than just your heartbeat and contribute to cardiac innovation one step at a time. REGISTER Don’t forget to choose the “University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation…

Scientists at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI) have cooked up the first human protein gel material capable of repairing damaged heart tissue after a heart attack. The gel, made from recombinant human collagen in the BioEngineering and Therapeutic Solutions (BEaTS) laboratory of the UOHI, is an “unprecedented leap forward” in addressing repair of cardiac muscle after a heart attack, and has the potential to…

Today, the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI) is releasing the first ten episodes of The Heartwise Podcast, a cardiac prevention and rehabilitation prototype that offers practical and pragmatic advice to the health conscious to help them live healthier and happier lives. Dr. Bob Reid, the deputy head of the UOHI’s Division of Cardiac Prevention and Rehabilitation, and a behavioural scientist with expertise in smoking…

Tending to a sick loved one can be fulfilling, and it can bring deep satisfaction to a caregiver. Paradoxically though, staff at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI) believe caregiving—and the psychological, emotional, physical, social and financial stresses that may come with it—also poses health risks for the caregiver. Mounting evidence now suggests caregivers (those who provide informal, unpaid care to a loved one…

March 8th is International Women’s Day, a day where women are globally recognized for their contributions and advancements in society. But could their next battle be against gender biases in the way society cares for them? Due to barriers in sport and physical activity over the last century, many female cardiac patients today may not have grown up with the opportunity to participate in structured…

Help us celebrate you! In 1976, the Heart Institute opened its doors in Ottawa and 2021 marks its 45th Anniversary. When is your unique heart anniversary? At the Foundation, we are eternally grateful for the courage and grace of patients who are willing to open their “hearts” to those around them and share their heart health journey. As we celebrate the Heart Institute’s anniversary, let us celebrate…

Proudly hosted by the Canadian Women’s Heart Health Alliance and funded by the Canadian Women’s Heart Health Centre, Wear Red Canada Day is celebrated annually across Canada on February 13th to raise awareness about women’s heart health. Events are held across the country to serve as a reminder for all Canadians, but especially Canadian women, to be mindful, curious, and proactive in the management of our heart…