EDMONTON - A study suggests Albertans are doing a better job of looking after their hearts.
Research done by the University of Alberta indicates that over the last 10 years, rates of cardiac procedures have either levelled off or declined.
Dr. Sean McMurtry, the study's lead author, says the concern a decade ago was that procedure numbers would rise and burden the health-care system, but the data have not borne that out.
The study has not pinpointed the reasons for the decline, but McMurtry says it's likely due to better technology and a lower prevalence of risk factors.
The research also found that cardiac procedure rates in northern rural areas are consistently higher than the provincial average.
McMurtry says that's an opportunity for the health-care community to try to do a better job in these areas. (CHED)
