It is common knowledge that a healthy diet and exercise help to stave off heart problems. However, after being diagnosed with heart disease, it’s important to take things slow. Too much exercise can actually have adverse health effects and it is important to be aware of the type and intensity of fitness that is right for your body. The Heart and Stroke Foundation offers a comprehensive outline of this important topic. The resources provided can help address the uncertainty associated with a diagnosis. The best place to start is through a cardiac rehabilitation...

Over the course of five years sharing an office, Ian and Sam had become good friends. They attended one another’s weddings, went to the occasional baseball game together, and while they weren’t extremely close, they got along well and were happy to have developed such a nice camaraderie at work. In September of 2018, Ian was absent for two weeks. After a few days, Sam was concerned and sent Ian an email. Ian simply stated that he wasn’t feeling well, and hoped to be back to work soon. After his return to the office, Sam checked in with him again, seeing how he was...

When he was a kid, Zahir had always had plenty of energy. That didn’t change when he grew up and joined the workforce. Data science is usually a sedentary profession, but his colleagues always said that he had a bounce in his step when he walked around the office. They also noticed when he slowed down shortly after turning 52. Zahir figured it was one of the normal side effects of ageing. He didn’t necessarily like his new reality – walking to the other end of his Saskatoon-based office was now enough to leave him exhausted and short of breath – but there didn’t seem to...

Heart disease often demands a radical change in lifestyle. Normal, everyday tasks like cooking and cleaning can be enough to cause fatigue and shortness of breath, to say nothing of more physically demanding activities like walking or exercise. People in jobs like construction are often forced to step away to accommodate their health limitations. For many, the disruption to that regular routine can be devastating. It can take a long time to regain the strength and stamina they had before heart issues took hold, and many people become depressed if they focus too heavily on...

What is Heart Disease? When we think of heart disease, we picture one ailment. The truth, however, is that heart disease refers to a group of different conditions that impact the function and structure of the heart. There are many different types of heart disease, most of which can be grouped into one of four categories based on how they affect the heart: coronary artery and vascular disease, structural heart disease, heart failure, and heart rhythm disorders. This last category is also known as arrhythmia, and it impacts millions of Canadians. What is arrhythmia? ...

Numerous studies have shown that the foods we eat have a direct impact on hypertension and overall heart health. A diet built around fresh fruits and vegetables is better than a diet loaded with sugar, sodium, and saturated fat, all three of which should be avoided. However, knowing what to eat is only half the battle. You also need to build good habits and follow through to make sure you actually eat those healthy foods and avoid the temptation of processed foods like chips and other snacks. For many people, that can prove to be far more of a challenge. Grocery store...