Submitted by SID KETTNER, MD
Heart disease is the number one killer of Canadians, including the West Boundary region, striking down more than 50 per cent of our adult population. About one-half of those with a heart attack never even make it to hospital. It strikes that quickly and ruthlessly. Sadly though, 75 per cent knew that they were in serious trouble 10 years prior, but they did nothing about it. They knew their risk factors but failed to take action.
There are 10 major risk factors. We can control seven of these—diet, smoking, hypertension, lack of exercise, weight, diabetes and stress. We cannot change our heredity, gender or age.
What is the good news? Eighty to eighty-five per cent of heart disease is preventable if we just would stop smoking, lower our cholesterol and start exercising. These measures are simple but highly effective and at no cost to us or to the medical system. In fact, we will save money as we save our lives!
Next time we will discuss the warning signs of a heart attack and show how the rates of this disease have drastically dropped as people took charge of their own health. Exciting!
But for now, if you are at risk, consider attending the highly successful Healthful Living Seminar to be held at the Seniors’ Centre in Midway (541 – 7th Avenue, Midway) starting on Thursday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m.