Pace Cardiology

12/24/2025

12/24/2025

Happy Holidays from Pace Cardiology!


Yaariv Khaykin

12/17/2025

🎄 Holiday Hours at Pace Cardiology 🎄

As the holiday season approaches, our clinic hours will be adjusted on select days. Please check our holiday schedule before your visit so we can continue to care for you without interruption.

Wishing you and your loved ones a safe, healthy, and happy holiday season from all of us at Pace Cardiology ❤️

12/15/2025

Managing Stress During the Holidays: A Heart-Healthy Reminder from Pace Cardiology

The holidays can be joyful—but also busy, demanding, and emotionally charged. Elevated stress doesn’t just affect your mindset; it can raise blood pressure, trigger irregular heart rhythms, and strain overall cardiovascular well-being. At this time of year, it’s especially important to pause and invest in simple, protective habits.

Here are a few evidence-based strategies we recommend:

• Build in short recovery breaks.
Even 5 minutes of slow, deep breathing can lower your heart rate and reduce stress hormones.

• Keep moving.
A brisk 10–15 minute walk can boost mood, improve circulation, and counteract the effects of seasonal busyness.

• Protect your boundaries.
It’s okay to decline events, simplify traditions, or ask for help. Emotional stress is closely tied to heart health.

• Nourish your body.
Try balancing festive foods with heart-healthy choices—think colourful vegetables, lean proteins, nuts, and whole grains.

• Monitor your heart if you have concerns.
If you’re living with a known heart condition or have symptoms, tools like Holter monitoring (including wearable options such as the Myant Health Skiin Holter) can help your care team keep an eye on your heart rhythm during this busier season.

Holiday stress is real, but small, consistent steps can support your cardiovascular health throughout December and into the new year.

For more information on PACE Cardiology, or our Cardiac Risk Reduction Clinic visit www.pace-cardiology.com.


Yaariv Khaykin




.health

12/14/2025

Heart disease is often preventable. ❤️

The Pace Cardiology Cardiac Risk Reduction Clinic helps patients lower their risk of heart attack and stroke through evidence-based care—and it’s covered by OHIP.

🎥 Watch this short video to learn how the clinic works and how your health-care provider can refer you. https://youtu.be/hr6nK1NCGSU

For more information visit, www.pace-cardiology.com







Yaariv Khaykin

Introducing the PACE Cardiology Cardiac Risk Reduction Clinic! (OHIP Covered) Your Heart Deserves Your Attention! At PACE Cardiology, our...

12/10/2025

Snow Shovelling and Your Heart

Holy snow today in southern Ontario! If you have cardiac issues, think twice before shovelling. That’s because shovelling snow equals non-stop jogging, posing a high risk for heart events, especially with cold weather strain. Research shows emergency room visits spike with the first heavy snowfalls.

Protect Your Heart:
- Ask someone not living with heart disease to shovel.
- Check for free snow removal services in your city/township for those with heart disease or chronic health issues.
- If not available, hire a service or ask a neighbour.

If You Must Shovel:
- Warm up for 5 mins (e.g., walk around).
- Dress warmly in layers.
- Use a smaller shovel; push, don't lift.
- Divide large areas; shovel in small sections.
- Take breaks, stay hydrated.
- Cover mouth/nose to limit cold air inhalation.-
Avoid early morning shovelling when blood clot risk is higher.

Watch for Symptoms:
Be aware of angina, chest pain, dizziness, irregular beats, or shortness of breath. Slow down if symptoms arise; call 911 if they persist.

Stay heart-safe this winter!






Heart & Stroke Yaariv Khaykin

12/08/2025

Celebrate the Season with Heart-Healthy Flavour!

The holidays are a perfect time to gather with friends and family, and with a few simple swaps, you can keep your heart in mind while still enjoying the festivities.

 Party Prep Tips:
   •   Snack Smarter: Create a veggie Christmas tree with colourful peppers, broccoli, and cherry tomatoes, served with hummus or yogurt dip.
   •   Lighten Up Cocktails: Opt for mocktails or low-sugar mixers like sparkling water with a splash of cranberry and lime.
   •   Go Whole Grain: Use whole-grain crackers or bread for canapés.
   •   Include Lean Proteins: Serve options like grilled chicken skewers, smoked salmon, or bean-based dips.

Celebrate with heart-healthy choices that are as festive as they are delicious!


 
 

12/08/2025

A great support program for folks with AFib.




Yaariv Khaykin

AFib Doesn’t Take Holidays — But Support Can Make All the Difference

This holiday season, give yourself (or someone you love) the gift of health with MyVIEW AFib Life, an 8-week online program designed specifically for people with atrial fibrillation (AFib), MyVIEW AFib Life is a holistic and evidence-based virtual health program that features current AFib lifestyle recommendations, as well as practical strategies designed to help navigate the unique challenges of having AFib.

To learn more about living life to the fullest with AFib, click my-view.ca/afib-life/ Questions? Email us at wellness@my-view.ca

Patients with private insurance may be eligible to receive reimbursement for some, or all of the program fees.

12/04/2025

Keep Your Heart Safe While Shovelling Snow

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.

12/02/2025

Maintaining Healthy Habits Over the Holidays: Progress, Not Perfection

The holiday season is a time for celebration, family, and (of course) delicious treats. While it’s tempting to set strict goals to stay “perfectly healthy,” aiming for balance can often be more effective—and more realistic.

Small, sustainable habits make the biggest difference. Instead of skipping every holiday indulgence, try focusing on a few key practices:
• Stick to your routine where you can. If you’ve been exercising regularly, keep it up—but allow flexibility for your schedule.
• Choose your indulgences mindfully. Enjoy your favourite treat, but balance it with heart-healthy meals during the day.
• Stay hydrated and get enough sleep. These basics can help you feel more in control and energized.

Remember, the holidays are about joy and connection. Give yourself grace if you slip up—it’s not about being perfect, but about making progress over time. By focusing on a few good habits, you’ll set yourself up for success without unnecessary stress.

Your heart—and your future self—will thank you!







Yaariv Khaykin

12/01/2025

How to Avoid Holiday Heart Syndrome

     The hustle and bustle of the holidays can take a toll on your ticker. From heightened stress levels to added festive calories packed on courtesy of extra alcohol or seasonal treats — it can be hard to stay heart healthy. 
“There’s a notable jump at the end of December in the number of patients showing up in emergency rooms with holiday heart syndrome — heart rhythm problems caused by overindulging in alcohol,” said Dr. Brad Dibble, a cardiologist with PACE Cardiology. 
“In some cases, festive binge drinking can put your heart into atrial fibrillation (an abnormal heart rhythm characterized by rapid and irregular beating),” he explained. Furthermore, holiday excesses can lead to weight gain, which can also be hard on your heart. 
With that in mind, here are some heart healthy holiday tips courtesy of Dr. Dibble: 
1. Limit Alcohol 
Holiday cheer can be a huge source of calories, and potentially hard on your heart. Cut back with low calorie non-alcoholic choices.
2. Watch the holiday food “highs” 
The holidays are a time of indulgence with plates loaded with helpings of delicious holiday “highs” — high-fat, high-calorie, high-sodium, high-cholesterol and high-sugar foods. Avoid the “highs” and choose healthier options. 
3. Get your Zzzzs 
Sleep is a big part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, especially during the holidays. 
4. Stay active 
Make fitness a priority to counteract the extra holiday calories and stress. Consult your doctor before starting an exercise program if you’re not usually active. 
PACE Cardiology offers internationally acclaimed cardiac expertise in diagnostic imaging and individualized care for patients in Newmarket, Barrie and Orillia, Ontario. For information call 1-888-662-0680, or visit www.pace-cardiology.com.




 

11/28/2025

📱 ⌚ Getting frequent irregular rhythm alerts on your smartwatch?

“Smartphones and smartwatches can now detect irregular heart rhythms, including possible atrial fibrillation (AFib). These tools are impressive—but they’re not always accurate, and they don’t replace medical assessment, says Dr. Yaariv Khaykin of Pace Cardiology. “In fact, sometimes these notifications create more worry than clarity.”

At PACE Cardiology, we now offer the Myant Skiin™ textile Holter — a comfortable, continuous-monitoring option that provides clinical-grade rhythm data. If you’re unsure whether your wearable alerts are accurate, this can be a helpful alternative to get clear answers.

For more information, ask your healthcare provider for a referral to PACE Cardiology, or visit us at www.pace-cardiology.com





Yaariv Khaykin Heart & Stroke StopAfib