Myview Cardiac Wellness

02/14/2026

02/13/2026

❤️ A Sweet Tip for a Heart-Healthy Valentine’s Day

If someone surprises you with a box of chocolates this Valentine’s Day, here’s a simple (and surprisingly effective!) tip: pop them in the freezer and savour them over time.

Freezing chocolates helps slow down mindless snacking, encourages mindful treats, and lets you enjoy a little sweetness without overindulging — proving that heart-healthy living doesn’t mean giving up what you love.

Small habits add up. Here’s to balance, moderation, and loving your heart this Valentine’s Day. 💕

02/09/2026

Heart-Lung Machine Invention (1953): Cardiology Milestones Throughout History (Part 5)

Dr. John Gibbon (1903-1973) developed the first successful heart-lung machine, which allowed surgeons to perform open-heart surgeries by taking over the function of the heart and lungs during the procedure.

In 1930, after witnessing a patient’s death during a pulmonary embolectomy, Dr. John Gibbon conceived the idea of a machine to support cardiac and respiratory functions during surgery. Over the next decade, he and his wife Mary developed devices that maintained complete pulmonary cardiac bypass in cats for 25 minutes. In the late 1940s, Gibbon convinced IBM President Thomas J. Watson to help create a more advanced device. And the rest is history.

Cardiology, the study of the heart and its functions, has a rich history with numerous milestones that have significantly advanced our understanding and treatment of heart disease.

Over the next few weeks, we’re going to highlight some interesting historical facts about key cardiology milestones. For more information on PACE Cardiology visit www.pace-cardiology.com

 
 

02/07/2026

Knowing what to do in an emergency can change everything. Join us and learn how to save a life at our CPR Workshop. We’ll teach you essential, hands-on skills that could help protect the people you love.

This non-certificate workshop covers CPR for adults, children, and infants, how to help someone who is choking, and how to safely use an AED.

📅 Join us Saturday, February 21, 2026

⏰ 9:30–11:30 AM or 1:00–3:00 PM

Learn more and reserve your spot through YorkSimcoeMuskoka@sja.ca or call 705-726-0991.

02/06/2026

Cardiology Milestones Throughout History (Part 4)

First Successful Cardiac Surgery: 1893

Dr. Daniel Hale Williams founded the first black-owned hospital in the US, and performed the world's first successful heart surgery, in 1893.

Cardiology, the study of the heart and its functions, has a rich history with numerous milestones that have significantly advanced our understanding and treatment of heart disease.

Over the next few weeks, we’re going to highlight some interesting historical facts about key cardiology milestones.

For more information on PACE Cardiology, visit www.pace-cardiology.com

02/05/2026

💙 Support between visits matters.

Heartline offers Pace Cardiology patients nurse support for questions like:
• New or changing symptoms
• Medication side effects
• Heart health concerns
• What to do next

📞 Call Heartline:
Newmarket: 905-953-7917 (Press 4)
Barrie: 705-721-4422 (Press 4)

Available during clinic hours only.
Heartline does not book or change appointments.

For more information on PACE Cardiology, visit www.pace-cardiology.com

01/26/2026

Cardiology Milestones Throughout History (Part 1)

The Discovery of Blood Circulation in 1628.

Cardiology, the study of the heart and its functions, has a rich history with numerous milestones that have significantly advanced our understanding and treatment of heart diseases. Over the next few weeks, we’re going to highlight some interesting historical facts about key cardiology milestones.

These milestones reflect the remarkable progress in cardiology, driven by innovation and dedicated research, leading to better diagnostics, treatments, and overall cardiac care.

For more information on cardiac care, visit our website at www.pace-cardiology.com

01/26/2026

Cardiologist Offers Safe Snow Shovelling Tips

Considering that the Toronto area is covered in record breaking snow, this story is worth reposting….

The snow is here, again! But before you start digging, there are some chilling health hazards to keep in mind.
“Shovelling snow can be deadly to someone’s heart if it’s not healthy or fit enough to take on that level of exertion,” explains Dr. Brad Dibble, a cardiologist with PACE Cardiology. “It’s a classic story: sudden cold weather exertion can strain the heart enough to trigger a heart attack or cause sudden cardiac death.”
Here’s why: “Shovelling heavy snow will lead to a significant increase in your blood pressure and heart rate. If there’s an unstable plaque in a heart artery, that strain may be enough to lead to plaque rupture and that’s what causes a heart attack. Even if it doesn’t, it can be enough extra work to cause angina, which is chest tightness because the heart isn't getting as much blood flow as it needs for the extra workload,” explains Dr. Dibble.
While shovelling snow isn’t usually a problem for the healthy and fit, it can be risky for the elderly or for people with known heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smokers, or for the habitually sedentary. Snow shovelling is particularly taxing because the majority of the workload is on your arms rather than your legs.
The cardiologist offers the following heart-safe snow shovelling advice: “Talk to your doctor before shovelling heavy snow. I would advise against it if you are older, have had a heart attack, stroke, or previous angioplasty, stents in heart arteries or heart surgery until you've been cleared for that level of exertion.”
If you do shovel, “avoid shovelling first thing in the morning because that’s when your blood pressure tends to be at its highest and your blood is most prone to clotting,” he advises. Instead, warm up your muscles before shovelling by taking a quick 20 to 30 minute walk.
Furthermore, “don’t drink coffee, smoke or eat big meals before shovelling or during breaks. Coffee and to***co are stimulants and will elevate your blood pressure and heart rate. Digesting a meal will divert blood from the heart to the stomach which isn't good when the heart needs that blood flow for exertion.”
Call 911 if you think you are having a heart attack.






Yaariv Khaykin
Heart & Stroke

01/25/2026

Cold weather can put extra strain on your heart ❄️❤️

Bundle up, keep moving, and don’t ignore symptoms. Winter is a great time to check in on your heart health.

At Pace Cardiology, we’re here to support your heart through every season. Visit us at www.pace-cardiology.com

01/23/2026

Heart Healthy Travel Tips

If travel is on your agenda and you have heart disease, be sure to check out these 7 heart healthy travel tips:

1) Depending upon your condition, consider talking to your doctor before the trip to ensure travel is safe. And don’t forget to pack your physician’s contact information, extra medication (in case of delays), and a list of your current meds.
2) Don’t take a vacation from eating well and exercise. Walk daily, or exercise for at least 30 minutes everyday (as long as your physician has given you the green light for exercise). And get plenty of ZZZZs. Follow a healthy diet, as much as possible. Opt for chicken or fish with plenty of vegetables, choose fruit for dessert, and pass on salty snacks.
3) Avoid going overboard on alcohol. Along with extra calories, binge drinking can result in heart palpitations, light-headedness and difficulty breathing.
4) Don’t overload your vacation schedule with too many activities. Remember, vacations are supposed to be about reducing stress, not enhancing it.
5) If travelling by plane, walk the aisles every few hours and pump your legs (while seated) at least once an hour to avoid the risk of blood clots. Staying hydrated is also key.
6) If you have a pacemaker or ICD, try to request special security clearance with a hand search at the airport.
7) In busy airports and/or on planes, keep hand washing/sanitizing in mind, as required.

01/17/2026

Winter Walking Tips

Strolling outside is a great way to enjoy nature, get exercise, and enjoy social time with friends or family. Use the following tips, along with a bit of caution and common sense, to keep moving, while safely managing winter weather.

Walk with a buddy. Exercise always goes by faster when you get to chat with a pal or family member. And don’t forget to take your four-legged friend!

Dress for the weather. Before heading out, check the forecast and dress in layers that you can remove as soon as you start to sweat, and then put back on as needed.

Footwear is key. Wear proper boots with good treads, and consider adding grips or spikes to your footwear. For deeper snow, snowshoes are a great option.

Pack the Poles. Use walking poles (fitted with ice prongs) or ski poles for extra balance.

Light is Key. Walk on well-lit paths that have been cleared of snow and ice. If you choose to walk at night, wear reflective clothing and bring a flashlight.

Wear sunscreen. Sunlight reflects off snow and ice, so you can still get a sunburn in the winter.

Stay Hydrated. Always remember to pack a water bottle.

While it may seem like a bit of work to get out of the house. Just remember the benefits of regular exercise: it strengthens bones, lowers blood pressure, improves mood, relieves stress and tension, reduces risk of heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and more.