An exciting research project is underway at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute that may be of great interest to you. It concerns an innovative exercise training program for patients with atrial fibrillation.
Atrial fibrillation is an electrical disorder of the heart, which is characterized by a fast, irregular heart rate and affects approximately 350,000 Canadians. This number is expected to grow as the prevalence of atrial fibrillation increases with age and Canada has an aging population. Currently, anyone over the age of 40 years has a 26% chance of developing this disorder. Atrial fibrillation is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality and its related symptoms are disabling and highly variable. These patients are normally managed with medications, yet they are desperate for better treatment options.
To meet this need, Dr. Jennifer Reed, Associate Scientist in the Division of Prevention and Rehabilitation has decided to examine the impact of different levels of exercise training on the cardiovascular health and fitness in patients with atrial fibrillation.
Dr. Reed has recently received over $500 000 from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada and Ministry of Health Innovation Fund to pursue this research. Her team is now recruiting up to 100 individuals with persistent or permanent atrial fibrillation from the greater Ottawa area.
Participants will have their health measures taken, complete questionnaires and participate in one of two 12-week exercise training programs. The results will provide clinicians and patients with important information for new treatment strategies to improve quality of life, alleviate symptom burden and reduce exercise intolerance amongst patients living with this condition.
For those of you who are interested in volunteering and for further information please contact the Research Coordinator for the study:
aclarke@ottawaheart.ca
613.696.7000 x 15944
