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The Heart of the Matter
by author Garrett Swetlikoff, ND

Hospital waiting rooms are lonely places. Unfortunately for many people, the firstintroduction to cardiac disease involves waiting for physicians and nurses to deliver news about loved ones. By the same token, you might not have to look far up the family tree to find someone who has had a heart attack or stroke; it might even be you.

Cardiovascular disease consists of a variety of conditions that affect the heart, blood vessels and, ultimately, the organs and tissues they supply with blood. Some examples include hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, valvular disease, aneurysms and peripheral vascular disease. (see "Heart Disease Definitions" further in this article)

According to 1999 statistics, cardiovascular disease is Canada’s leading cause of death, claiming 78,942 lives or producing 35.9 per cent of all deaths. Of these deaths, 39,808 were men and 39,134 were women. Six million Canadians, about one in five, are living with some form of cardiovascular illness today.

Cardiac disease and stroke are also major causes of illness and disability in Canada, exacting high personal, community and health-care costs. Heart disease accounts for about $7.3 billion, or 17 percent, of the direct costs of illness in Canada. The estimated indirect cost (lost wages and productivity) of heart disease is $12.4 billion annually.

Although cardiovascular disease is a devastating illness, you are not powerless against it. In fact, this condition is largely preventable. Let’s take a look at the major risk factors and some things you may want to consider.

Age

Increased age is the dominant risk factor for heart disease and stroke. As our population ages, it is expected that the number of individuals with heart disease and stroke will increase. However, given the current emphasis on "anti-aging" it would seem baby boomers do not want to grow old. By incorporating a whole-body approach to health, accepting self-responsibility and applying common sense, many older people are able to delay or avert the likelihood of vascular disease.

Paradoxically, heart disease begins in childhood. It has long been known that babies, children and teenagers all have accumulation of cholesterol on the walls of their major arteries. By age 35, 75 percent of men and women have plaque covering 20 to 50 percent of the surface areas of certain arteries. So, prevention of cardiovascular disease must begin in youth.

Sex

At younger ages, men are at much higher risk of developing coronary artery disease (CAD) leading to angina or myocardial infarction (heart attack). There appears to be a 10-year lag for women in the development of CAD. The risk of stroke is also higher for men. If you are male, you should look at your risk factors early in life and reduce as many as possible. Women, your heart disease rates have steadily climbed over the last 30 years, so pay attention, too.

Family History

Heart disease and stroke run in families where lifestyle, cholesterol metabolism and vascular physiology are similar. You can’t change the genes you were born with, but you can avoid the bad habits family members may possess. Learn from the mistakes of others.

Tobacco Smoking

Contrary to popular belief, smoking is responsible for more deaths due to heart disease and stroke than deaths due to cancer. Considering the negative effects this addiction has on the lungs, teeth, stamina, pocketbook and health of others, there is really nothing too positive one can say about this age-old habit. The risk is proportionate to the number of cigarettes smoked per day.

Whether one quits "cold turkey," uses nicotine replacement products, Zyban, homeopathic techniques, hypnosis, acupuncture or support groups, it requires intense willpower and behaviour modification. If one idiotically continues to smoke, replacement of antioxidants such as vitamin C, E and beta-carotene at higher doses is a must, as the body gobbles up these nutrients (especially vitamin C) in an attempt to combat the free radicals in smoke.

Physical Inactivity

Dr. Swetlikoff is a naturopathic physician practising in Kelowna, BC. He specializes in progressive and interventional natural medicine. Garrett can be reached at 250-868-2205 or gswetlikoff@shaw.ca.

Source: alive #244, February 2003