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Hospa has one of the largest Cardio care programs in a community academic hospital in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area), and provides treatment for many types of CVD, including heart transplant, open heart surgery, engiogram prostate, gynecological and urinary.
Hospa General is constantly thinking and going beyond for our patients, our community and our people. As people and communities change, Hospa General will continuously evolve to meet their needs. We are driven to achieve the promise of people-centred care – to create a welcome and inclusive environment that contributes to health equity.
Enhancing the patient and family experience
We work to ensure our patients receive the highest standard of cancer care. All patients receive care guided by best practice standards of Cardio Care. These practices have been shown to provide the best patient outcomes. Patients and their families can quickly access a diverse range of cancer care services, including these facilities:
- The BMO Breast Diagnostic Clinic, part of the Karen, Heather & Lynn Steinberg Breast Centre
- The Baruch/Weisz Cardio Centre
- Freeman Centre for the Advancement of Palliative Care
- Gale and Graham Wright Prostate Centre
Patients supported by dedicated team of experts
Our interdisciplinary team of highly skilled and compassionate health-care professionals includes physicians, surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, oncologists, nurses, medical imaging professionals, case managers, and volunteers.
We partner with the two regional cancer centres: the Odette Cancer Centre at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, and Princess Margaret Hospital at the University Health Network, to facilitate radiation treatments for our patients. A partnership between North York General and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre offers patients easy and timely access to quality colorectal cancer care.
Information for new patient
This following series of videos are designed for patients who are receiving treatment at the Anne Tanenbaum Chemotherapy Clinic. The first video “A Day in Chemo Clinic”, is helpful to watch prior to starting treatment and want to know what to expect before your appointment.
Most patients will receive conventional chemotherapy and may find the videos that explain what chemotherapy is and how it is given, helpful. For a general introduction, start with “Chemo 101”. This video covers important day-to-day considerations such as “Can I take supplements while on chemo?”, “Can I drink alcohol while on chemo?” and “Do I have to avoid crowds while on chemo?” Additional videos include common side effects of chemotherapy, important prevention and management tips.
Available Doctors Under Food & Nutrition
Shazafar Ahmad
IT & Innovation Advisor
Sharon Noelker, RRT
Cosmetic Dermatologist
Melanie Dalton, MD
Pulmonary & Critical Care, Henry Ford Hospital, USA
Imad Awan
Lead - Art & AnimationAsk Any Question If You Have
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5 Essential Tips to Manage High Blood Pressure for a Healthier Life
If you have high blood pressure or hypertension, lowering it—even by just 10 mmHg—can significantly reduce your risk for serious health conditions like heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure. The closer you get to your goal blood pressure, the lower the risks become. But how can you achieve the best control over your blood pressure for a healthier future?
KEY POINTS
1. Controlling high blood pressure is very important to avoid serious health problems like heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure.
2. High Blood Pressure usually does not cause any symptoms, so it is important to get it checked routinely.
3. An ideal blood pressure is 120 / 80 mm Hg for men and for women.
4. For people with high blood pressure (hypertension), you goal is to keep it under 140 /90 mm Hg. Their lower the blood pressure, the better for your health.
5. Lifestyle modifications such as regular exercise, dietary changes, maintaining a healthy weight, improving sleep quality, stress management, and quitting smoking helps control blood pressure.
6. Dietary changes to reduce blood pressure include a) low salt diet, b) DASH diet, c) high potassium diet.
7. Many time lifestyle changes alone are not sufficient to keep BP at goal. You may need one of more medicines to keep BP under 140/90 mm Hg.
8. Keep a close contact with you doctor to ensure you blood pressure is under good control. It may take some time to find the right medication combination that works for you.
1. Know Your Numbers
The first step in controlling blood pressure is knowing your numbers. Regular monitoring is crucial since high blood pressure often has no symptoms. Aim to keep your blood pressure at 120/80 mm Hg or lower. If you have high blood pressure, your goal is under 140/90 mm Hg.
Check your blood pressure once or twice a day, at different times, and keep a record to help track your progress. Regular tracking allows you and your doctor to assess how well your lifestyle changes and medications are working.
2. Regular Exercise
Exercise is one of the most effective ways to lower blood pressure. Regular physical activity can reduce blood pressure by 5-8 mmHg.
Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise (e.g., brisk walking, jogging, cycling, swimming) 3 to 5 days a week. Exercise not only keeps your heart healthy, but it also boosts your mood, reduces stress, and helps with weight management.
3. Dietary Changes
What you eat plays a major role in controlling blood pressure. Here are three dietary changes you can make to lower your blood pressure:
– Limit Salt Intake: Keep your sodium intake under 1,500 mg per day. Avoid processed foods, deli meats, canned goods, and snacks like chips, which are often high in sodium. Opt for fresh, whole foods when possible.
– Adopt the DASH Diet: The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) plan can help reduce blood pressure by about 10 points. Focus on foods rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy. Avoid foods high in fats, such as butter, fried foods, and processed meats.
– Increase Potassium Intake: Potassium helps balance the effects of sodium. Include potassium-rich foods like bananas, spinach, tomatoes, beans, and yogurt. Be sure to consult your doctor before significantly increasing potassium, especially if you have kidney issues or take certain medications.
4. Know Your Medicines
If lifestyle changes alone don’t keep your blood pressure within the target range, medications are often necessary. There are several classes of drugs to treat high blood pressure, including diuretics, ACE inhibitors, and calcium channel blockers.
It’s crucial to take your medications as prescribed. Be patient, as it may take time to find the right combination of medications. Monitor for side effects, and keep your doctor informed about any changes in your condition.
5. Other Lifestyle Changes
In addition to diet and exercise, several other lifestyle changes can help control your blood pressure:
– Maintain a Healthy Weight: Losing excess weight can reduce blood pressure by about 5 points. Even small weight loss can make a big difference in managing hypertension.
– Improve Sleep Quality: Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep per night. Poor sleep can contribute to high blood pressure. If you snore or experience daytime fatigue, you might have sleep apnea—talk to your doctor about a sleep study.
– Quit Smoking: Smoking increases blood pressure and damages blood vessels. Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health.
– Reduce Stress: Chronic stress can raise blood pressure. Practice mindfulness, relaxation techniques, or hobbies that help you de-stress. If you feel overwhelmed, seek professional help to manage stress effectively.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
– What are the ideal blood pressure numbers I should aim for?
– How often should I monitor my blood pressure at home?
– Can you guide me on starting and maintaining a regular exercise routine?
– What dietary changes should I make to lower my blood pressure?
– Can you explain the DASH eating plan and how it can help reduce blood pressure?
– What medications are available to help lower blood pressure?
– What are the potential side effects of blood pressure medications?
– How long does it typically take to find the right combination of medications to reach my blood pressure goal?
Fantastic Fact!
Your heart beats around 100,000 times a day, pumping approximately 2,000 gallons of blood throughout your body—enough to fill over 90 bathtubs! Keeping your heart healthy is essential for overall well-being.
Guest Experts
Dr. Saavia Gargila, MD
Cardiology, Beaumont Hospital, USA
Dr. Muhammad Ahsan Zafar, MD, MSc
Pulmonary & Critical Care University of Cincinnati, USA
Dr. Eric Warm, MD
Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, USA