New cardiac suites at Southlake Regional Health Centre could make a difference for thousands of people each year.
When John Grace was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, or an erratic heart rhythm, he was sent to the Southlake, which has one of Ontario’s largest cardiac units.
“They recommended cardiac ablation, so I thought let’s get it done," he said.
The cardiac unit that helped Grace is now growing. Three new state-of-the-art cardiac care suites have opened. They're equipped with the latest imaging technology and doctors say it's some of the best in the world.
"We have this amazing state of the art centre in Ontario close to home so people can access this care rapidly," says Dr. Zaev Wulffhart.
The first heart rhythm procedures were performed in the new cardiac suites last month. Doctors expect to do more than 1,700 this year.
Atrial fibrillation affects about 200,000 Canadians. Surgeons use tiny probes through veins and arteries to gain access to the heart and do their work.
“People have said, ‘you don't know how much you have changed my life. How much difference you have made,’” says Wulffhart.
Over the past decade the cardiac care program has treated more than 100,000 people.
