Every 7 minutes in Canada, someone dies from heart disease or stroke, two of the three leading causes of death in this country. The Jewish General Hospital (JGH) is offering some important tips to help the public take action to reduce the risk factors that are within control as part of Heart Month, this February.
Nine of every 10 Canadians over the age of 20 have at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Those risk factors for heart attacks and stroke include: high blood pressure or high cholesterol; diabetes; smoking; stress; physical inactivity; poor nutrition; misuse of alcohol and being overweight or obese.
“Heart Month is part of a global effort by governments and healthcare associations partnering up to reduce the rate of heart disease; sensitizing populations to the risks and stressing the importance of healthy everyday choices that can make a lifelong difference,” says Dr. Ernesto Schiffrin, JGH Physician-in-Chief, Professor and Vice-Chair of Research in McGill University’s Department of Medicine, and President of the International Society of Hypertension. “Raising awareness about the issue of heart health and educating the public on simple practices to protect against cardiovascular disease and hypertension is necessary as they are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide.”
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January 31, 2013