Montreal was the scene of an annual cardiovascular congress this weekend, with the theme being education — more specifically, how best to make people aware about the risk factors that can cause heart disease.
George Honos, head of CHUM's cardiology department, told CTV Montreal that Quebecers need to be more aware of what could cause the kind of heart disease that could ultimately change the overall structure and functions of the heart.
"Smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, sedentary lifestyle, (being overweight), in addition to ethnic background and if we have a parent or family member who had a heart attack under the age of 60," he listed. "Most of us have symptoms that are modifiable and the good news is, prevention works. Things like high blood pressure should be treated to optimal target values."
While many people would think they're not old enough to worry about heart disease, physician and the Senior Manager of Promote Recovery at the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Gavin Arthur said he started having chest pain while out for a run one day. Because of his knowledge of the signs for heart disease he immediately went to see his general practitioner.
"I got two stents placed because I had two significant narrowings in my arteries," he said. "I could have died; I could have had heart damage. I'm so happy I avoided that by going and getting myself checked out."
According to the latest statistics, one Canadian dies every seven minutes from heart disease or stroke.