According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, every seven seconds someone in Canada dies of heart disease or stroke. In fact, cardiovascular disease accounts for more deaths in Canada than any other disease. That's about 32 per cent of all of the deaths in Canada.
So, what exactly is heart disease? Heart disease can be several diseases of the heart and circulatory system including coronary artery disease, heart arrhythmias, heart attack, angina and heart failure.
As scary as these sound, there are preventative measures you can take to ensure you don't get heart disease. Things like eating a healthy, balanced diet, exercising and maintaining a healthy body weight. Also, having your blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked regularly can provide early warning signs of heart disease. Stress management is also important.
Making some simple lifestyle changes can greatly reduce your risk of heart disease. Almost 60 per cent of Canadians 18 or older are overweight or obese and sedentary adults are much more likely to be overweight or obese than active adults. Having said that, inactive people who become active can lower their risk of having a heart attack by 35 to 55 per cent.
Studies by Statistics Canada show that 48 per cent of Canadians 12 and over are inactive. At least 50 per cent of women are inactive and about 45 per cent of men. The most startling part of these statistics is people who are physically inactive have twice the risk of developing heart disease or having a stroke.
There is no better time or reason to become proactive in the fight against heart disease. Starting with as little as 30 minutes a day of physical activity can make a big difference. Slowly you can work your way up to 60 minutes a day. Your activities can be cumulative which means you can add up the activity you do throughout the day. Some small things you can do right away are start walking at lunch, take the stairs instead of the elevator, walk to work or if it's too far then park a few blocks away and walk the rest of the way. Also, plan physical activity into your daily life and commit to doing it. Hit the gym at lunch if you don't have time after work. Get a friend or family member to sign up with you and use each other as motivation.
So, what if you have been inactive for a long time and you aren't sure where to start? Just ask! Exercise doesn't have to be a scary experience, nor a painful one. With all the benefit associated with exercise not only for your heart but also for your bones and muscles there is no time like the present to get started. Within a short time you will begin to notice how much better you feel, how much more energy you have and how much less stressed you are. Not to mention how much better you look!
Say it! Mean it! Do it!
