The Citizen, 2003-08-13, Page 20PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUSTT3, 2003.
7 deadly myths threaten health
The Heart and Stroke Foundation’s
Annual Report Card on Canadians’
Health shows almost two-thirds of
adult Canadians (60 per cent) are
seriously misinformed when it comes
to protecting their own heart health.
These misconceptions cover the
spectrum from risk factors for heart
disease and stroke to the treatment of
these conditions.
According to the newly-released
Heart and Stroke Foundation Report
Card, the prevalence of such myths
continue to threaten the heart health
of the nation. Overall, the Report
Card shows Canadians discount the
impact that high blood pressure,
elevated blood cholesterol and family
history play in the development of
heart disease and stroke.
“A lack of understanding about the
critical role these risk factors play in
Canadians’ heart health, may cause
people to underestimate their risk and
leave themselves vulnerable to
premature disease and death,” says
Dr. Anthony Graham, Heart and
Stroke Foundation spokesperson.
“The fact is, if left undiagnosed
and/or untreated, any single one of
these risk factors can double - or even
triple - a person’s risk.”
Only one-third (34 per cent) of
Canadians is able to name even one of
these three risk factors. This lack of
awareness is alarming, particularly in
the case of high blood pressure.
Nearly a quarter (22 per cent) of
Canadian adults has high blood
pressure. Of these, 42 per cent are
unaware of their high blood pressure,
and of those who are aware, only 16
per cent have their blood pressure
treated and under control. The report
card shows that Canadians are also
still buying in to a common myth
about high blood pressure - that it is
related to a “personality type”.
One of the findings of most
concern in the Heart and Stroke
Foundation Report Card is that
Canadians appear to have a laissez-
faire attitude when it comes to chest
pain/discomfort - a key warning sign
of heart attack. Instead of seeking
emergency medical attention, 82 per
cent of respondents said they would
rest, wait, or call their family doctor if
the symptoms persisted.
“The reality is, the longer people
with heart attack symptoms wait, the
greater their risk of death or long-term
disability,” said Dr. Graham.
The report card also found one-third
of Canadians believe a woman’s risk
is solely determined by her female
relatives. In fact, both men and
women’s risk is determined by their
family history on both sides.
The development of artery
blocking plaques is the subject of
another myth. Most Canadians
believe plaque development only
begins in adulthood.
“There is strong evidence that in
North America precursors to plaque
beg.ns early in childhood, often by
age 10,” says Dr. Beth Abramson,
Heart and Stroke Foundation
spokesperson.
“These findings do not bode well
for future generations. Our children
and teens are already experiencing
alarming rates of obesity, physical
inactivity, and early diabetes - all of
which are on the rise,” says Dr. Beth
Abramson, a cardiologist.
The report card shows that
Canadians have lifestyle high when it
comes to protecting their own heart
health. But, this awareness should not
blur the important role that other risk
factors play.
“When we’re bombarded with so
many health messages, it can be a
daunting task to prioritize the
information that we will take action
on,” says Dr. Robert Nolan, a Heart
and Stroke Foundation researcher
specializing in human behaviour.
“Myths can often become top of mind
because they’re repeated time and
time again. So, the longer they’re
around, the more we tend to believe
them.
“However, being unaware of your
own heart disease and stroke risk
profile can prevent you from taking
advantage of appropriate screening
and monitoring assessments,” says
Dr. Nolan. “Canadians need to work
with their doctors to evaluate their
risks.”
Recent national surveys show that
Canadians and their family physicians
need to start working together. Of the
Canadian population, 23 per cent still
smoke, 48 per cent are overweight
and 55 per cent are physically
inactive. Governments, communities
and health systems have to also
support healthy living for Canadians.
In response to the Report Card
findings, the Heart and Stroke
Foundation is offering a number of
information resources to Canadians.
By logging on to
www.heartandstroke.ca, Canadians
can assess their personal risk for heart
disease and stroke. They can also
access tools to help them better
understand the heart and stroke
warning signs, learn how to monitor
their blood pressure and high blood
cholesterol and how to work in
partnership with their doctors. The
Foundation has a toll-free number 1-
888-HSF-INFO.
The Heart and Stroke Foundation’s
Annual Report Card on Canadians’
Health was first developed by the
Foundation in 1996 to provide an
annual national perspective on
Canadians’ attitudes, beliefs and
health status related to heart disease
and stroke. This year’s Report Card
was conducted among 1,250
Canadians aged 18 and over and is
considered accurate within +4.2 per
cent, 19 times out of 20.
Obituaries
ALEXANDER GULUTZEN
Alexander Mac Gulutzen of RR3,
Blyth passed away at Cambridge
Memorial Hospital on Friday, Aug.
1, 2003. He was in his 59th year.
. He was the loving husband of
Pauline Gulutzen (nee Thamer). He
was the beloved father of Darlene
Hymers and husband Brad of
Clinton, Bill and wife Christine of
Blyth, and Charles and wife Terri of
Walton. He will be sadly missed by
his grandchildren Brittany,
Courtney, and Carson Hymers,
Christopher and Mackenzie
Gulutzen, and Jacob Gulutzen. Mr.
Gulutzen is also survived by his
brother Michael and wife Dorothy of
Owen Sound. He will be fondly
remembered by his nieces and
nephews.
His parents Alec and Albina (nee
Stratychuk) Gulutzen predeceased
him.
Friends were received at Beattie-
Falconer Funeral Homes Ltd., Blyth
on Monday from 2 - 4 and 7-9 p.m.
A funeral service was held at Duff’s
United Church, Walton on Tuesday
at 2 p.m.
Interment was in Brussels
Cemetery.
As an expression of sympathy
memorial donations to the Huron-
Perth Lung Association or the
Humane Society would be
appreciated.
GIOVANNI MARTELLACCI
Mr. Giovanni “John” Martellacci
of Blyth passed away at Clinton
Public Hospital on Sunday, July 27,
2003. He was in his 67th year.
He was the beloved husband of
Susanne Martellacci. He was the
loving father of Anthony John
Martellacci of Blyth and cherished
son of Clementina Martellacci of
Toronto. He was the dear brother and
brother-in-law of Lina and Tony
Mignosa, Woodbridge, Mary and
George Andrelli of Montreal,
Fernanda and Frank Mauro,
Woodbridge, Aurelio and Barb
Martellacci, Montreal, and Paul
Martellacci of Auburn. He was also
loved by many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his father
Antonio Martellacci.
Friends were received at the Blyth
Visitation Centre of the Beattie-
Falconer Funeral Homes Ltd., Blyth,
Ontario on Tuesday from 2 - 4 and 7
- 9 p.m. Mass of the Christian Burial
was held at St. Michael’s Roman
Catholic Church, Blyth on
Wednesday, July 30 at 11 a.m. Rev.
Father John Pluta officiated.
Pallbearers were Gino Mauro,
Claudio Mignosa, Maurizio
Mignosa, Tony Bozza, Francesco
Mauro and Sandro Mignosa.
Interment was at St. Michael’s
Catholic Cemetery, Morris Twp.
Expressions of sympathy to the
charity of one’s choice would be
appreciated.
Parish prayers were held Tuesday
at 8:30 p.m.
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