High rates of hidden heart disease are being uncovered among eastern Ontario’s older adults based on findings from a first-of-its-kind mobile screening program led by the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, bringing life-saving diagnostics directly to Ontarians.
The program deploys a mobile team with handheld ultrasound, ECG technology and on-site blood testing to pop-up clinics at senior centres, malls, Indigenous communities, and residential sites across eastern Ontario, offering free screenings to seniors. This initiative aims to identify silent, progressive conditions like valvular heart disease early, enabling timely intervention before they become severe.
Preliminary findings from nearly 3,000 participants reveal a significant need: 7 per cent screened positive for valvular heart disease, while 9 per cent had other serious cardiac abnormalities – most with no prior symptoms. The model demonstrates how removing barriers to access can transform cardiovascular prevention by enabling earlier detection and guiding patients to appropriate care.
The program’s early results highlight the potential for mobile health units to close critical gaps in heart care by offering a scalable, community-centred solution that removes barriers to care and could save lives across the province.
For more information, visit the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.
