The McGill University Health Centre unveiled a new cardiology unit Friday, upgrading from an outdated 1950s unit that no longer met staff needs.

"Acute cardiac care has gone through a major transformation in the past decade, both in terms of technology and how care is provided; indeed, our old space was no longer up to modern standards." said Dr. Jacques Genest, the MUHC's director of cardiology, in a statement.

The new unit is equipped with 13 private rooms, all outfitted with private bathrooms and space for families to spend the night. Larger rooms also create room for equipment, allowing patients to undergo tests and receive treatment in their rooms.

Six rooms are dedicated to intensive care, while the seven others will be used for intermediate care.

More than 800 patients are treated in MUHC's cardiology unit every year, the majority due to cardiac arrest, loss of consciousness, arrhythmia, angina, endocarditis or heart failure.