Did you know that close to 80 per cent of cardiovascular disease deaths are preventable?

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

“Many don’t realize that cardiovascular disease is the number two killer of Canadians after cancer, so making sure you have your heart health under control can help reduce your risk of a cardiac event. The more people know about the dangers of heart disease, the better they can prevent it from happening, as even modest lifestyle changes can help.” Dr Robert Hegele

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. In Canada, it accounted for more than 52,000 deaths between 2015 and 2019, and someone dies from heart conditions, stroke or vascular cognitive impairment every five minutes.

There are studies showing that hypertension is not only more common in African Canadians (West Indian/Caribbean), but it is also more severe. Although reasons for this are still not completely understood, important risk factors to be aware of are: lower socioeconomic status and ingestion of high sodium/low potassium food.

A CVD diagnosis in African Canadians includes, but is not limited to: coronary heart disease, stroke, sudden cardiac death, and peripheral vascular disease. Well-documented risk factors for CVD include hypertension (high blood pressure), hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol), diabetes, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and lack of physical activity.

CVD’s create an enormous financial burden for Canada’s healthcare system -more than $21 billion in 2019 impacting the country’s ability to respond to unexpected health crises. Taking action against modifiable factors, like eating healthy, being active and living smoke-free can lower the risk of heart attack and stroke, a primary driver of CVD, and responsible for 85% of all CVD deaths.

Readers, I have a question for you; did you know that close to 80% of CVD deaths are preventable?

For the first time in Canada, a community of patients and advocates, healthcare professionals, opinion leaders, governments and businesses, influencers and innovators are coming together to break healthcare siloes and bend the curve of CVD in Canada. Novartis has joined forces with healthcare professionals and organizations, as well as beloved voices, to help raise the volume on this disease that’s becoming a big story in mortality statistics, launching Not Another Minute (notanotherminute.ca) to educate Canadians and take action to bend the curve of CVD.

With the goal of educating, reimagining healthcare through innovation, and bringing CVD mortality to the forefront, Novartis has joined forces with the: Canadian Heart Patient Alliance, HeartLife Foundation, Diabetes Canada, Canada Heart Valve Voice and the C.A.R.P. (Canadian Association of Retired Persons) to raise the volume and make CVD a priority for Canadians. The goal is to build and deliver a blueprint for change that can help reduce CVD mortality in Canada.

I had the incredible opportunity to speak with Dr. Robert Hegele. He is the Jacob J. Wolfe Distinguished Medical Research Chair as well Martha Blackburn Chair in Cardiovascular Research. He is a Distinguished University Professor of Medicine and Biochemistry at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, and the Director of the London Regional Genomics Centre.

Dr Hegele has spent time researching the human genome for DNA markers, which indicate whether an individual’s susceptibility to disease is inherited. Dr Hegele’s research creates a distinction between shared family history as a result of genetic makeup, and that as a result of shared social and environmental factors. The goal of his research is to be able to identify individuals who are genetically at risk for particular conditions, and employ preventative, personalized treatment to improve their outcomes.

When we spoke, I had a chance to discuss some of the issues in the African-Caribbean community. He shared some of his knowledge with me.

The issue with cardiovascular diseases Simone,” Dr Hegele began, “Is that when it is progressing, you don’t feel it. Usually the first sign is chest discomfort, heaviness in the chest. It is usually a sign of heart disease. When it comes to signs of a stroke, people usually know when something doesn’t feel right. There usually are signs. By the time the signs appear, it is already too late, this is why it is important to act early.

We are recommending at a younger age to get a wellness check by your doctor. It is important to detect it early. Time is on your side when you are younger, and even if we have done all the natural things that we can do, the risk factors can still be there.”

Something that Dr Hegele spoke about in detail is heredity. “Heredity is so important.  As a doctor, it is always important to know my patient’s family history. It is helpful for me to have a relationship with my patients. If they are young and do not want to take pills, we discuss their options and go over alternative treatments. You can delay from going on medication. If they want to start with a diet, that is fine, but we won’t do it indefinitely. I am all for natural preventions. Natural measures can help your medication work well.

Strokes can happen at any age. It is even more tragic if it affects you as a young person. This is why you must not ignore your symptoms; don’t brush them off. Fortunately, there is a lot that you can do. Sometimes there are just small changes that you need to make.”

“Dr Hegele,” I asked, “What is some advice that you could give people about CVD?”

 “If a doctor feels you need medication, don’t be afraid of that. They have been known to extend life.

 Your cardiovascular health is the foundation of everything. Taking care of you is the foundation. If you are not healthy, you can’t take care of anyone else. It is not being selfish, it is being prudent.”