Ticker Talk

In this episode of Ticker Talk, we share the remarkable and deeply personal story of Ruzica Subotic-Howell, a retired registered nurse and former military medic with over 40 years of experience in healthcare. Despite her extensive clinical background and expertise, Ruzica spent years searching for answers as she battled a life-threatening cardiac condition. Her experience offers a powerful example...

In this episode, Ann-Marie welcomes Vince Londini - a heart patient, advocate, and dedicated patient partner - to discuss his lived experience with cardiovascular disease.  Vince’s story is one of perseverance and perspective. He talks candidly about the fear and uncertainty of heart disease, the importance of peer support, and the power of continuing to live your life fully, even when things feel...

In this episode of Ticker Talk, host Ann-Marie Julien speaks with Dr. Rob Hegele, distinguished Professor of Medicine and Biochemistry at Western University and Director of the London Regional Genomics Centre at Robarts Research Institute. Dr. Hegele also cares for over 2400 patients in his Lipid Clinic at University Hospital in London, Ontario. His research investigates the human genome to identi...

In this episode of Ticker Talk, host Ann-Marie is joined by Najah Adreak to discuss a crucial topic that touches the lives of countless women globally, yet often goes unnoticed until it’s too late: women’s heart health. Najah is a clinical researcher and Medical Doctor, with a focus and passion for women’s heart health, incorporating a racial and ethnic lens into women’s cardiac health, and less i...

Dr. Alexandra King is a member of the Nipissing First Nation (Ontario). She is an Internal Medicine specialist, the inaugural Cameco chair in Indigenous Health and Wellness at the University of Saskatchewan, and co-lead of Pewaseskawn (the Indigenous Wellness Research Group). Dr. Alexandra King’s work supports Indigenous communities in improving health and wellness outcomes by understanding the ne...

Dr. Anthony Tang is a Professor of Medicine at Western University and Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. Additionally, Dr. Tang is a Staff Cardiologist at the London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) and Scientific Director and CEO at the Cardiovascular Network of Canada (CANet). His clinical and research expertise is largely related to diagnosing and management of patients with cardiovascul...

In this episode, host Ann-Marie is joined by Dr. Krystina Lewis to discuss the pivotal role of decision aids in fostering patient engagement in healthcare. Krystina is an Associate Professor with the School of Nursing at the University of Ottawa and an Affiliate Researcher with the University of Ottawa Heart Institute and the Center for Implementation Research at the Ottawa Hospital Research Insti...

In this episode, we hear from Trina O'Brien Leggott, a heart patient with inherited hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Trina's familial journey with HCM began when her youngest brother experienced unusual symptoms, leading to his diagnosis of HCM. This discovery led to family screenings that traced the condition back to their father, 40 years previous. Trina's personal experience with HCM escalate...

In this episode, host Ann-Marie delves into the complexities of Atrial Fibrillation (AF) with Dr. Robert Rose, a scientist and professor in the departments of Cardiac Sciences, Physiology and Pharmacology at the Cumming School of Medicine, Libin Cardiovascular Institute at the University of Calgary. Unpacking the intricacies of cardiovascular disease, the Robert Rose Laboratory conducts cutting-ed...

In this episode, we delve into the deeply personal and transformative journey of Marc Bains, who was catapulted onto a life-changing path following a heart failure diagnosis at the age of 23.  He unfolds his decade-long experience with heart failure, revealing how his initial fears evolved into a story of adaptation and resilience, marked by crucial treatment developments and a heart transplant th...

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Jennifer Reed who is the Program Chair of Cardiac Rehabilitation, a Scientist in the Division of Cardiac Prevention and Rehabilitation, Director of the Exercise Physiology and Cardiovascular Laboratory , and serves as Program Chair at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute . She is also Associate Professor at the School of Epidemiology and Public Health Faculty...

Susan McLaren shares her lived experience as a caregiver for her husband and children living with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) , an inherited cardiac condition affecting the heart muscle. She discusses the gaps in support and counselling for families dealing with genetic cardiac disease, the impact on her husband and children’s lives after their diagnosis, and the importance of finding ways t...

In this episode, Al Hurren discusses his familial and personal experience of having a bicuspid aortic valve and being treated for an ascending aortic aneurysm. As a self-proclaimed optimist by nature, Al shares his experience of discovering his condition in his thirties, managing it through lifestyle choices, and undergoing surgery with a positive outlook.  When asked what he would say to someone...

In this episode, we speak to Dr. Ratika Parkash, a cardiologist based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Dr. Parkash is a Professor and Director of Research in the Division of Cardiology in the Faculty of Medicine at Dalhousie University, and the Associate Scientific Director at the Cardiovascular Network of Canada (CANet). Her research is focused on cardiovascular disease prevention, cardiac implantable el...

In this episode, host Ann-Marie is joined by Sue Armstrong, a patient with lived experience, who discusses her emotional journey with heart failure and how it has shaped her approach to life. Sue recounts the impact of heart disease in her family spanning generations, her personal heart health journey, and the importance of embracing joy in everyday moments.   Throughout this episode, Sue acknowle...

Dr. Venkatesh Thiruganasambandamoorthy (Dr. Venk), CANet Investigator, senior scientist with the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and Professor in the Departments of Emergency Medicine and School of Epidemiology and Public Health at the University of Ottawa, is internationally recognized in syncope research. He heads the Canadian Emergency Department Syncope Research Group, a research program wh...

In this episode of Ticker Talk, host Ann-Marie speaks with Cyrena Ferreira, a caregiver, mother, and advocate of cardiac health and research. Cyrena shares her journey of discovering her son Alessio’s heart condition shortly after his birth, and the challenges they have faced as a family following diagnosis. Bringing listeners through her experience as a caregiver, Cyrena discusses the complexitie...

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Robert Hamilton, children's cardiologist, heart rhythm specialist and senior associate scientist at the Hospital for Sick Children and Research Institute in Toronto, Canada. He is a CANet Network Investigator and senior electrophysiologist managing an inherited arrhythmia clinic and has gained a unique perspective on the clinical impact of hereditary heart rh...

Barbara Martin shares her journey as a patient navigating multiple health challenges, ranging from a heart condition to living with a brain injury. Barbara underscores the utility of understanding the grief cycle when dealing with any health-related event or diagnosis, reminding listeners that grief is a natural response to a loss and that it is non-linear - while you may accept it one day, anothe...

Dr. Samantha Anthony is a Health Clinician Scientist in the Child Health Evaluative Sciences Program of the Research Institute at SickKids in Toronto, Ontario. She is a Social Worker within the Transplant and Regenerative Medicine Centre at SickKids and an Associate Professor in the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work at the University of Toronto. Dr. Anthony is the first and only Health Clini...

In this episode, Dan Pak shares his story of being diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation (AFib or AF) and undergoing complex ablation surgery. He discusses the initial shock following his diagnosis, the challenges of adjusting to a new lifestyle, and the importance of finding balance and listening to your body.  Dan is a marathoner, an advocate for heart health, and has adapted to changes prompted by...

Starting September 5, 2023, join your host Ann-Marie Julien and hear from cardiac patients and caregivers sharing experiences of healing, community, and advocacy, and learn what innovations in cardiac research might mean for you and your loved ones from Canada's leading experts.