O2 West News
Healthy Heart = Healthy Life
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IS VITAL. People who don't exercise are at Twice the Risk of heart disease to those who are active. Numerous studies clearly show that regular physical activity can help prevent cardiovascular disease.
At minimum, we all need some sort of physical activity. 9 in 10 people over 20 years old have at least one risk factor of cardiovascular diseases. Without exercise, we are all at risk of heart disease and stroke. Other risk factors include unhealthy diet, stress, smoking, overweight, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia and diabetes.
Alarming Facts to think about:
- Cardiovascular diseases remains the number one cause of death in Canada and globally
- In Canada, cardiovascular disease is the main contributor to health costs
- In 1998 CVD costs amounted to $18.5 billion
- In 2000, CVD costs amounted to $22.2 billion
- In 2004, CVDs caused 72,743 deaths, representing 32% of all deaths in Canada
- Globally, by 2030, an estimate of 23.6 million people will die from CVDs and will remain the single leading cause of death
- Cardiovascular Diseases are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels.
- Risk Factors of heart disease and stroke are: Physical Inactivity, unhealthy diet, smoking, overweight, high blood pressure, dyslipidemia and diabetes.
- 9 in 10 people over the age of 20 years have at least one risk factor for CVDs.
Prevention must begin in childhood, with good nutrition and physical activity. For adults, prevention is to maintain good health, reduce risk factors and for heart attack sufferers, to reduce subsequent attacks. CVDs is dramatically increasing given the increasing obesity among children, adolescents and young adults.
For the most part, CVD is preventable, but requires action. We help to motivate, educate, and walk you through gradual steps to reach a healthy lifestyle and to prolong longevity. Making a positive lifestyle choice is your first action which will definitely affect you and your family now and in the future.
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