According to Statistics Canada, heart disease is one of the leading causes of death of Canadians, accounting for over 26% of all deaths.1 Despite this, there are a variety of ways Canadians can lower their risk of heart disease and ultimately heart attacks:
Diet and Nutrition
• Get your blood cholesterol level checked by your doctor
• Lower LDL (low density lipoproteins) levels by following a low-saturated fat and low cholesterol diet
Exercise *
• Become physically active for a minimum of 30 minutes at least three times per week
• Physical exercise may lower your risk for heart disease or stroke
Lifestyle Modifications
• Limit alcohol consumption for overall lifestyle benefits
• Stop cigarette smoking, or at a minimum cut back gradually
Preventative therapies
• Consult your doctor for regular check-ups and for a prevention plan, especially if you have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, have had a heart attack or stroke, are overweight, smoke or have an inactive lifestyle.
1 Selected leading causes of death by sex, Canada, 1997. Statistics Canada. www.statscan.ca (November 22, 2002).
* Consult your doctor before beginning an exercise program
- News Canada
Are
you at risk
of a heart attack?
(NC)-To determine your risk
of a heart attack, check off the points that apply to you:
o A family history of early heart disease (Father or brother diagnosed before age 55 Mother or sister diagnosed before age 65)
o Age (Men 45 or older; women 55 or older)
o High blood cholesterol
o High blood pressure
o Diabetes
o One or more previous heart attacks, angina, had bypass surgery or angioplasty, stroke or blockages in neck or leg arteries
o Overweight
o Physical inactivity
o Cigarette smoking
If you have 1 or more of these risk factors, speak to your
doctor about heart health. The more risk factors you have
the greater your risk of a heart attack. Your doctor may recommend
an exercise program, changes to your diet or lifestyle modifications.
(NC)
News Canada
