Welcome back to the blog that brings you healthcare without the fluff. This week on Ditch the Labcoat, I had the pleasure of chatting with Dr. Michael Ward, interventional cardiologist, double doctor (MD and PhD, because one wasn’t enough), and a man who spends his days—and sometimes nights—saving hearts, literally. He’s like a plumber for your cardiovascular system, but with more finesse and less crack. Or so we think.
Heart Surgery: Not What You Think
Dr. Ward gave us a behind-the-scenes look at his work in the cath lab, the high-stakes arena where heart attacks meet their match. Forget the dramatic Hollywood chest-cracking scenes. Most of his interventions are minimally invasive, performed through the wrist or groin, using catheters the size of spaghetti strands to navigate your arteries. He’s a real-life MacGyver, with tools ranging from balloon inflators to chicken-wire-esque stents that prop open your arteries like tiny scaffolds.
Coronary stent placement:
“It’s not just plumbing,” he explained. “The heart is a living, hormonally responsive, biologically active system.” Translation: Your heart is smart. Maybe smarter we are for thinking this intricate organ is as simple as a bunch of plumbing connected to a big, dumb, muscle…
Time Is Heart Muscle
One of the biggest takeaways from our chat? If you’re having chest pain, don’t delay calling for help. In the world of cardiology, the phrase “time is myocardium” (aka heart muscle) isn’t just a catchy slogan. The longer your heart goes without oxygen during a heart attack, the more muscle it loses. And that damage? Permanent.
Dr. Ward walked us through Ontario’s Code STEMI protocol—a finely tuned system where ambulances can bypass smaller hospitals and head straight to cath labs like his, where he and his team spring into action faster than you can say “angioplasty.”
The Fix Is in the Flow
Despite his high-tech arsenal, Dr. Ward is clear-eyed about the limits of interventional cardiology. While he can restore blood flow during a heart attack or relieve symptoms like angina, the real heroes in heart health are prevention and lifestyle changes.
“People think we fix everything with stents, but that’s not true,” he said. “We’re selective. Fixing everything can make things worse.”
This isn’t like your plumber cleaning out every clog in your house just because he’s there. Arteries aren’t pipes. They’re living tissue, and too much tinkering can backfire.
Your Prescription: Move More, Eat Better 
So, what should you be doing to keep your heart humming? Dr. Ward recommends:
- Exercise: Get at least 150 minutes of heart-pumping activity per week. That’s about 20 minutes a day of something that makes you sweat, like brisk walking, cycling, or pretending you like your Peloton.
- Mediterranean Diet: Think olive oil, fish, and lots of fruits and veggies. Keep red meat and saturated fats to a minimum.
- Skip the Shortcuts: Red wine and chocolate won’t save your heart, but a balanced diet will. Sorry, chocoholics.
And if you’ve already had a heart attack? Cardiac rehab can literally extend your life.
Listen Now: Weighting in with Lipid Specialist Dr. Spencer Nadolsky
The Final Word
Dr. Ward’s parting wisdom: “Don’t ignore symptoms. If something feels off, see your doctor. Prevention is the best medicine, but early intervention saves lives.”
Whether he’s placing a stent, prescribing a statin, or counseling patients on how to lower their blood pressure, Dr. Ward’s message is clear: take care of your heart now so you don’t need him later.
Click to read more to know how to keep your hear health
Catch the full episode of Ditch the Labcoat for more on heart attacks, stents, and why your arteries would definitely RSVP to a Taylor Swift concert (but maybe leave the veins at home). And remember: while your heart may not actually skip a beat for romance, it’s worth keeping it in rhythm for the long haul.
