Cardiac Prevention Clinic
The Cardiometabolic Prevention Clinic at St. Michael’s Hospital sees two groups of patients – those living with, and at risk for heart and vascular disease. It provides complimentary preventive care in coordination with primary care physicians and specialists. This unique clinic at the University of Toronto, spearheaded by Dr. Beth Abramson, aims to share best practices in academic preventive cardiology. Her team of cardiac prevention specialists have expertise in modern “precision” medicine to help diagnose and treat cardiovascular risk.
Location
St. Michael’s Hospital
Toronto, ON
M5B 1W8
The main entrance is located near Queen St. East and Victoria St. The Bond St. entrance is not open to the public at this time.
Donnelly Wing, 7th Floor
Contact
Fax: 416-864-6065
Physicians
Dr. Beth Abramson
Prevention Physician – Dr. Candice Holmes
Fellowship
The Cardiac Prevention fellowship program at St. Michael’s Hospital, Division of Cardiology, University of Toronto is a 12-month fellowship providing training in all the essential aspects of contemporary preventive cardiology with an emphasis on risk reduction strategies in the patient with coronary disease. This is for trainees having completed cardiology or GIM training. In addition to clinical expertise, trainees will also have the opportunity to pursue academic or scholarly activity in the area of cardiac prevention with appropriate supervision at a level required to further a career in academic cardiology, GIM, and/or cardiac prevention.
Previous/ Upcoming Fellows:
- Dr. Seana Nelson (2024-2025)
- Dr. Yenny Rodriguez de Morales (2023-2024)
- Dr. Daniel Esau (2021-2022
Research
NP– Michelle Santos
Patients
Prevention resources
Physical Activity
- Unity Health – Activity and Your Heart Guide
- Heart and Stroke – How much physical activity do you need?
- Heart and Stroke – Exercise After Heart Attack
- Healthy Living Alberta
Cholesterol
- Unity Health – Cholesterol and its Relationship to Heart Disease Guide
- Government of Canada – High Cholesterol Information
- Heart and Stroke – How to manage your cholesterol
- Amgen – 8 Things to Know About Lipoprotein(a)
- AHA – Lp(a): A Toolkit for Health Care Professionals
Diabetes
- Unity Health – Diabetes and Your Heart Guide
- Heart and Stroke – Diabetes Guide
- Government of Canada – Sugars and your health
- Diabetes Canada – Basic carbohydrate counting for diabetes management
- Diabetes Canada – Prediabetes Information
- Diabetes Canada – Type 2 Diabetes Information
Healthy diet
- Unity Health – Healthy Diet Guide
- Heart and Stroke – Healthy eating basics
- Government of Canada – Canada’s Food Guide
- Government of Canada – Canada’s food guide: Eat whole grain foods
- Government of Canada – How to read a food label
- Unity Health – The Portfolio Diet
Health during COVID-19
Hypertension
- Unity Health – Hypertension and Heart Disease Guide
- Heart and Stroke – High blood pressure
- Hypertension Canada – Blood Pressure Action Plan
- Heart and Stroke – The DASH Diet to lower high blood pressure
- Hypertension Canada – Monitoring Blood Pressure at Home
- Hypertension Canada’s Recommended Blood Pressure Devices Listing
Losing weight
- Unity Health – Losing Weight Guide
- Obesity Canada – Resources
- Government of Canada – How to read a food label
- Unity Health – The Portfolio Diet
- Government of Canada – Canada’s food guide: Healthy snacks
- Unlock Food – Handy Guide to Serving Sizes
Mental health
- Unity Health – Mental Health and Your Heart
- Anxiety Canada – How to do progressive muscle relaxation for anxiety
- Anxiety Canada – Mindfulness: Mindful Breathing
- Anxiety Canada – Mindfulness Exercises
- Self-Care Self-Assessment
Quit smoking
Health-care Providers
Referrals
Cardiac Prevention Clinic Referral Form
Unique tests offered
Carotid Intima Media Thickness Analysis: The carotid Intima Media Thickness (cIMT) is a measure of the thickness the innermost two layers of the wall of the carotid artery, the tunica Intima and the tunica Media. If the CIMT shows increased thickness in the inner layers of the carotid artery, you may be at risk for cardiovascular disease.
This is done by taking ultrasound pictures of your neck arteries and using specialized computer analysis.