Sheer denial is costing people their lives.
According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation's 2011 Annual Report on Canadians' Health, nine out of 10 Canadians are jeopardizing the quality and length of their lives because they are in denial that controllable risk factors, such as being overweight and being physically inactive, are putting them at risk for heart disease.
"Canadians know what to do to live healthier, longer lives. But there's a huge disconnect between what we think we are doing to address our risk factors and reality," says Dr. Beth Abramson, cardiologist and spokesperson for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. "The fact is that we're not managing some of the most common and deadly cardiovascular risk factors as well as we think we are. We Canadians are living with a false sense of security that could be fatal."
The Heart and Stroke Foundation conducted a poll this past December in order to determine how Canadians perceive their risk factors for cardiovascular disease. According to the poll, though Canadians were indeed aware of the importance of addressing their risk factors, many did nothing to address the risks. This could be because many Canadian over-estimate their own healthy behaviours - they perceive themselves to be much healthier than they are in reality.
In fact, almost 90 per cent of Canadians rate themselves as healthy. In reality, 90 per cent have at least one risk factor for heart disease and stroke. The Heart and Stroke Foundation was able to determine this because, although 90 per cent rated themselves as healthy, those same respondents admitted to being physically inactive or to not eating at at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day.
Facing the reality that half of Canadians don't meet the physical activity and healthy eating recommendations, and that almost 25 per cent of Canadians are obese, it's clear that people are overestimating their healthy habits.
"We are overestimating our healthy behaviours and underestimating our tendency to be couch potatoes," says Dr. Abramson.
While sitting on the couch and watching TV may seem like a relaxing way to spend one's downtime, it will shorten a person's quality of life in the later years.
"It's not just years of life that are at stake," explains Dr. Abramson. "It's healthy quality years that can be gained. For example, by being physically active, you gain close to four years of life-three of those free of heart disease and stroke."
"Living longer isn't much fun if you don't have your health," she adds.
In order to control the risk factors, people must learn to adapt their lives and adopt healthier lifestyles.
Inactivity and obesity can each take, on average, four years off a person's expected life span, while high blood pressure can take an additional two-and-a-half years and low vegetable consumption can take another 1.3 years. So, by adopting a healthier lifestyle, one could be adding more than 10 years to their lifespan.
Although not all risk factors can be controlled - for example a family history of heart disease - other factors can be controlled. These are the ones for which Dr. Abramson urges people to make changes.
Living a healthier lifestyle includes: following a healthy diet, being physically active, knowing and controlling your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, maintaining a healthy weight, living smoke-free, reducing stress, managing diabetes and limiting alcohol consumption.
For additional information on controlling risk factors associated with heart disease, visit the heart and stroke foundation website or talk with a healthcare provider.
Jump Rope for Heart
Starting during the February break, students from Carlyle Elementary School will be canvassing their family, friends and neighbours for donations towards the Saskatchewan Heart and Stroke Foundation. The canvassers are students who decided to participate in Jump Rope for Heart and Hoops for Heart, which is run as an extra-curricular activity at the school.
Organized by CES teacher Joan Bue, Jump Rope for Heart and Hoops for Heart encourages children to become active while raising money and awareness for heart disease. Bue says approximately 90 students are participating this year - one of the largest groups in the school's history.
In past years, students raised $5,000, and with the support of the community, hope to raise a similar amount again this year.
The students are eagerly practicing for Jump Rope for Heart an Hoops for Heart, which takes place at CES on March 11. For more information or to pledge a student, contact Carlyle Elementary School at 453-2393.
