Breaking research from the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress: study highlights for Oct. 30, 2012

OTTAWA, Oct. 30, 2012 /CNW/ - Here are summaries of today's press releases featuring research presented at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress in Toronto.

New pediatric heart failure guidelines a first in Canada
Heart failure in children often goes unrecognized until it's too late

The Canadian Cardiovascular Society is the first in Canada to issue guidelines aimed at helping primary care and emergency physicians, as well as specialists, recognize and manage heart failure in children.

Pediatric heart failure is often fatal and occurs in about 3,000 children annually in North America. Worldwide, the problem is far greater and the causes are diverse. To date there has been little guidance to assist practitioners who deal with children with heart failure.

Providing guidance in this area may help to solve one of the biggest challenges we have: that children with heart failure are usually not recognized early and treated effectively. When heart failure presents late in the disease course, it is more dangerous and can be fatal.

For the full press release, please go to www.heartandstroke.ca/cardiocongress.

Everyone in the pool! Water workouts just as good as on land
Same aerobic benefits seen, with less wear and tear, according to study

A study presented today at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress found that people who used an immersible ergocycle - basically an exercise bike in a pool - had just about the equivalent workout to using a typical stationary bike.

The maximal oxygen consumption - which tells you whether it was a good workout - was almost the same using both types of cycles. Another finding is that the heart rate of the participants was a little lower in the water.

For the full press release, please go to www.heartandstroke.ca/cardiocongress

Risk of cardiac arrest depends on where you live
Study compares "cardio-toxicity" of Toronto-area neighbourhoods

Your chances of having a sudden cardiac arrest can depend on where you live. A study of Greater Toronto Area (GTA) neighborhoods with high and low rates of cardiac arrests found that the factors causing increased risk are complex. The reasons are more multifaceted than traditional explanations of income, social economic status and education levels.

The 10 neighbourhoods in the GTA with the highest cardiac arrest rates (cardiotoxic) and the 10 with the lowest rates (cardiosafe) were identified.

The bottom line is that where you live does affect your risk of cardiac arrest. The research suggests wealth, education and social inclusion are important factors but only explain part of the puzzle.

For the full press release and a table comparing the cardio- toxicity of GTA neighbourhoods, please go to www.heartandstroke.ca/cardiocongress.

Canadian Cardiovascular Society unveils series of newest Canadian cardiovascular guidelines for health professionals

Canadian Cardiovascular Society guidelines and position statements offering the most up-to-date information to support clinicians in practicing evidence-based medicine were released today at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress.

Updates have been made to the landmark Atrial Fibrillation, Antiplatelet, Dyslipidemia and Heart Failure Guidelines and sees the highly anticipated debuts of topics including Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy, Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation and Pediatric Heart Failure. 

For the full press release, please go to www.heartandstroke.ca/cardiocongress.

Hosted by the Canadian Cardiovascular Society and the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Congress is Canada's largest science and health meeting, with more than 4,000 delegates, including cardiologists, surgeons, pediatric specialists, nurses, rehabilitation experts and leading researchers.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation (heartandstroke.ca), a volunteer-based health charity, leads in eliminating heart disease and stroke and reducing their impact through the advancement of research and its application, the promotion of healthy living and advocacy.

Healthy lives free of heart disease and stroke. Together we will make it happen.

SOURCE: HEART AND STROKE FOUNDATION

For more information and/or interviews, contact the
CCC 2012 MEDIA OFFICE AT 416-585-3781 (Oct 28-31)

OR

Diane Hargrave Public Relations
416-467-9954 ext. 104
[email protected]

Congress information and media registration is at www.cardiocongress.org

After October 31, 2012 contact:
Jane-Diane Fraser
Heart and Stroke Foundation
[phone] ext 273
[email protected]