‘Perfect storm’ of risk factors looms for heart health

Chris Handforth (far right) plays rugby and tries to eat right to avoid heart disease.

By: James Whitehead

jbwhitehead@gmail.com

Chris Handforth is one of the captains of the University of King’s College rugby team and he is at risk for heart disease.

“Personally (heart disease) is something that I am very aware of,” he said.

“I try to stay active because I know that my family is predisposed to have larger people in it.”

The 22-year-old history and biology student says he is also involved in martial arts and tries to eat right.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation’s annual heart health report card gave 20- to 30-year-old Canadians a failing grade in heart health.

“We have a lot of people in the province who are at risk for heart disease,” says Elaine Shelton, director of health promotion for the foundation.

Handforth says he didn’t know about the report but can see its relevance.

“You’d think that we’d be the fittest people but … let’s be honest, a lot of university students just don’t eat well.”

Handforth’s family is not the only one with a genetic predisposition to cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Nick Giacomantonio, a cardiologist at QEII Health Science Centre, says Eastern Canada carries some of the highest risk in the country for cardiovascular disease.

“We have the highest rates of obesity,highest rates of inactivity,” he said.

Giacomantonio says the original Scottish and Irish settlers had a genetic predisposition to cardiovascular disease but they didn’t see as many effects because of their lifestyle.

“Physical activity was high, obesity was low and what you ate was a survival to do the work you needed to do,” he said.

He says over the years, industrialization and advanced technology changed the lifestyle of Maritimers leaving a legacy of heart disease.

According to the foundation’s report card, only 38.4 per cent of Nova Scotians now are at a healthy weight and only 47.6 per cent are getting enough exercise.

“Soon enough, we will see more and more people presenting with heart disease and stroke,” said Shelton.

The foundation’s report card warns there is a “perfect storm” of risk factors looming on the horizon.

“Our three bad systems are aging population, living longer with the disease, and youth getting more risk factors,” said Giacomantonio.

He says it’s vital we focus on reducing common risk factors that drive cardiovascular disease, such as hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, inactivity and smoking.

“Recognize it and admit to it and then, you’re well on the way to changing it,” he said.

Giacomantonio also said that while most of the risk factors are preventable, the only way reverse the trend is to change our society’s lifestyle.

Shelton says that is what this report is all about.

“What we are looking for is the funding and implementation (from the government) of the heart health strategy and action plan,” she said.

“That plan was released almost a year ago and it’s just kind of sitting on a shelf because there’s no funding attached to it.”

The plan outlines several policies designed to help make healthy choices easier.

In the meantime, both Shelton and Giacomantonio are urging Canadians to exercise more and choose healthier foods.

Handforth says he is trying his best but it is difficult.

“I try to eat healthy but it’s hard, it’s not cheap to do that,” he said.

“Some of us don’t have a lot of money.”