Table of contents
* What are the symptoms and warning signs?
* Who is at risk?
* Prevention
* Treatment
* For more information
As you grow older, your chances of developing heart disease
increase. Coronary heart disease accounts for the greatest
percentage of cardio-vascular deaths in seniors, half of which are
attributable to heart attacks.
A heart attack occurs when the blood supply to a part of the heart
muscle itself is severely reduced or stopped due to blockage,
resulting in damage to that part of the heart.
What are the symptoms and warning signs?
The main symptoms and warning signs of heart attack are:
Chest pain
* tightness, discomfort or crushing
* heaviness, pressure or squeezing
* fullness or burning
Pain from the centre of the chest
spreading
* down one or both arms
* up to neck, jaw, shoulder or back
Other signs
* shortness of breath
* paleness, sweating or weakness
* nausea, vomiting and/or indigestion
* anxiety or fear
* denial, refusing to admit that anything is wrong
Warning signs in women
Women are more likely to have less obvious symptoms such as
indigestion-like discomfort, vague chest pressure or discomfort,
nausea or back pain. It is crucial for women and their doctors not
to ignore those easy-to-miss symptoms.
If you notice any of these signs, don't delay!
Consult your doctor immediately.
The longer an artery remains blocked the more damage it may cause.
Delay in the early phases can significantly reduce the chances of
survival. Yet Canadians wait an average of almost 5 hours before
getting help. It is extremely important to recognize the signals
and to respond immediately.
Who is at risk?
Some risk factors for heart disease cannot be altered, while
others can be modified by lifestyle changes. Major risk factors
you can't change include age and family history. Risk factors you
can change or control include smoking, high blood pressure, high
"bad" cholesterol (LDL) levels, lack of physical
activity, diabetes and obesity.
Tobacco
A smoker's risk of heart attack is 2-3 times than that of a
non-smoker. Quitting, at any age, is beneficial. Chronic exposure
to second-hand smoke may also increase the risk of heart disease.
High blood pressure
High blood pressure increases the heart's workload, causing the
heart to enlarge and weaken over time. When high blood pressure
exists with obesity, smoking, physical inactivity, high blood
cholesterol levels or diabetes, the risk of heart attack increases
greatly. Although the cause of most high blood pressure is
unknown, it can be controlled.
Because high blood pressure often has no obvious symptoms, it is
crucial that you understand your doctor's instructions and stick
to your medication.
High cholesterol
The risk of heart disease rises as levels of "bad"
cholesterol (LDL) increase. When other risk factors (high blood
pressure, smoking, physical inactivity, etc.) are present, this
risk increases even more. You can achieve a healthy level of
cholesterol by adopting a diet that is low in fat and high in
fibres (see Prevention section).
Lack of exercise
Physical activity can help protect people of middle and old age
against heart disease. Any exercise, at any age, is beneficial if
done regularly over the long term.
Exercise also helps control cholesterol, diabetes, obesity and
high blood pressure. Make a habit of exercising regularly:
physical activity can and should be fun!
Consult your doctor before embarking on a physical activity
program.
Obesity
People who are more than 30% over their ideal body weight are more
likely to develop heart disease, even if they have no other risk
factors. Obesity increases the strain on the heart, contributes to
high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol and can lead to
adult-onset diabetes.
Diabetes
Diabetes seriously increases the risk of developing heart attacks
but heart disease may be avoided or delayed by controlling other
risk factors.
Stress
Stress can contribute to the development of heart disease. People
under stress also tend to indulge in unhealthy activities such as
smoking or overeating. Taking time to exercise, enjoying outdoor
activities, and eating a healthy diet helps reduce stress levels.
Prevention
Even at a later age, you can reduce your risk of heart disease by
adopting healthy habits such as:
* being smoke-free
* eating a healthy diet
* controlling your blood pressure
* being physically active
* taking time to relax
Adopting a healthy diet
For everyone, at any age, it is important to eat three balanced
meals a day and to take time to enjoy what you eat. The foods you
choose have a direct impact on your health. Healthy ingredients
and cooking techniques will help you lose weight, keep
"bad" cholesterol levels to a minimum, prevent illness
and improve your general well-being.
Shopping for healthy food
Look at diet changes as an exciting adventure toward
renewed health. Discover new vegetables, spices and recipes. Enjoy
preparing, eating and sharing your healthy meals!
Eating healthy...
Eat high-fibre foods everyday...
such as fruit and vegetables, peas, beans and lentils, barley,
brown rice, whole grain bread and whole grain cereals.
Use as little salt as you can...
replace it with herbs and spices (tarragon, basil, dill, curry) or
tasty ingredients (garlic, lemon juice, hot peppers, flavoured
vinegars).
Cook with little or no fat...
if you must use fat, use vegetable oils (olive, canola, corn,
sunflower). Always use as little as you can.
Eat less meat, especially red meat...
limit your portion to the size of a deck of cards. Choose leaner
cuts of meat and cut off the fat or remove the skin before
cooking. Try low-fat cooking methods (steaming, broiling,
barbecue, roasting, stir-frying, poaching) or meatless meals.
Choose low-fat dairy products...
such as skim or 1% milk, low fat yogurt and cottage cheese
(containing 2% and less fat) and cheese containing less than 15%
M.F.
Avoid high-fat desserts and snacks...
but treat yourself with your favorite delight once in a while...
in moderation!
Treatment
Treatment for heart attacks may include medication, such as
* anti-coagulant drugs (to prevent clots from forming);
* thrombolytic drugs (known as "clot-busters" or
"clot-dissolvers");
* drugs to lower blood pressure or to decrease heart rate;
* nitroglycerin (to relax the blood vessels);
* cholesterol lowering drugs.
Sometimes drugs used to treat or prevent irregular heart rhythms
will also be given. Treatment may also involve surgery, including
angioplasty (balloon pumps).
About medication...
Your doctor may prescribe medication for blood pressure, heart
disease, or another condition.
It is crucial that you fully understand your doctor's instructions
and that you take your medication exactly as prescribed. Write
down your questions as they come and refer to your list during
your doctor's appointment.
* If you have been taking other medications, ask your doctor if
you should continue taking these.
* Ask your doctor written information on the medication you are
being prescribed.
* Check with your pharmacist before taking any over-the-counter
medications such as aspirin or cold remedies.
* Never stop taking your medication without talking to your
doctor.
* Report any side effects to your doctor or pharmacist.
You should be able to answer these common questions about each of
your medications:
* What is the name of the medication and what does it do?
* How and when do I take it?
* Are there any side effects and what should I do if I get any?
* What food, drinks, or other medications should I avoid?
For more information
Contact the Heart and Stroke Foundation toll free at
1-888-HSF-INFO.
The Physical Activity Guide for Older Adults can help you increase
your level of activity (www.paguide.com/older or
1-888-334-9769).
Many Internet sites also provide information about heart health.
Here are a few you may want to visit:
www.heartandstroke.ca new window
www.healthyheartkit.com
www.ccs.ca new window
www.healthyheart.org new window
www.cacr.ca new window
www.hc-sc.gc.ca new window
www.canadian-health-network.ca new window
Our thanks to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada for its
contribution to this Info-Sheet.
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