THE HEART TRUTH Welcome!

What is motivating YOU to learn more about heart disease and stroke? 2

The Heart Truth What are heart disease and stroke? What are the warning signs? What are women’s risk factors? How can you reduce your risks? How to talk to your doctor Today’s presentation 3

Research Healthy living promotion Advocacy The Heart and Stroke Foundation 4

Developed by the Heart and Stroke Foundation to: -Raise awareness -Encourage healthy lifestyle choices -Help women share the truth with others The Heart Truth campaign 5

Why The Heart Truth? 6 Heart disease and stroke -NOT just a “man’s disease” -Is a leading cause of death for women in Canada -Kills seven times more women than breast cancer BUT…many heart attacks and strokes can be prevented through lifestyle changes.

Damage to the heart Most common type is coronary artery disease -angina caused by reduced blood supply and oxygen to the heart -heart attack caused by reduction or stoppage of blood supply/oxygen What is heart disease? 7

Do you know the warning signs of a heart attack? 8

Chest discomfort - uncomfortable chest pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain, burning or heaviness Discomfort in other areas - upper body: neck, jaw, shoulder, arms and back Shortness of breath - difficulty breathing Nausea - indigestion, vomiting Sweating - cool, clammy skin Light-headedness Heart attack—warning signs 9

Damage to a part of the brain -Four out of five strokes are caused by reduced or stopped blood flow What is stroke? 10

Do you know the warning signs of a stroke? 11

Weakness - Sudden loss of strength or sudden numbness in the face, arm or leg, even if temporary Trouble speaking - Sudden difficulty speaking or understanding or sudden confusion, even if temporary Vision problems - Sudden trouble with vision, even if temporary Headache - Sudden severe and unusual headache Dizziness - Sudden loss of balance, especially with any of the above signs Stroke—warning signs 12

Heart disease and stroke share many risk factors. RISKS YOU CAN’T CONTROL INCLUDE: -Family history -Ethnicity -Gender Risk factors 13

Heart disease and stroke share many risk factors: RISKS YOU CAN CONTROL INCLUDE: -Smoking -Obesity -Inactivity -Stress -Diabetes -High blood pressure -High cholesterol Controllable risk factors 14

doubles the risk of stroke reduces blood oxygen blocks arteries Risk factors—smoking 15

doubles the risk of stroke reduces blood oxygen blocks arteries One in four Risk factors—smoking 16

Obesity can lead to: high cholesterol high blood pressure diabetes Risk factors—obesity 17

Obesity can lead to: high cholesterol high blood pressure Diabetes More than 50 per cent Risk factors—obesity 18

Three to seven times the risk of heart disease - four out of five people with diabetes die of heart disease High risk of stroke Greater risk for women than men Risk factors—diabetes 19

Three to seven times the risk of heart disease - four out of five people with diabetes die of heart disease High risk of stroke Greater risk for women than men Two million have diabetes One million have diabetes and don’t know it Risk factors—diabetes 20

Leading cause of stroke Increases heart disease risk up to four times Risk factors—high blood pressure 21

Leading cause of stroke Increases heart disease risk up to four times One in five Risk factors—high blood pressure 22

Increases risk of -narrowed arteries -blood clots Invisible - no symptoms Can indicate high triglycerides Risk factors—high cholesterol 23

Increases heart disease risk twofold Increasing activity levels reduces risk Risk factors—inactivity 24

Increases heart disease risk twofold Increasing activity levels reduces risk Close to 50 per cent of Canadian women over age 12 are inactive Risk factors—inactivity 25

May indicate higher cholesterol and blood pressure levels Risk factors—stress 26

What kinds of additional risks do you think women may have for heart disease and stroke? Women’s unique health issues 27

Menopause Cholesterol/triglycerides Hormone Replacement Therapy Pregnancy Oral contraceptives Women’s unique health issues 28

Women are: -juggling multiple priorities -more likely to ignore symptoms of a heart attack or stroke -less likely to receive the same medical treatment as men Taking action 29

What stops women from taking action to reduce their risks? Taking action 30

What do you do to maintain your heart health? Taking action 31

Eat seven to eight servings of vegetables and fruit per day Quit smoking - avoid second hand smoke Get a minimum of 3 sessions of weight-bearing exercise plus 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous- intensity aerobic activity each week Limit consumption of saturated and trans fats Limit consumption of sodium to one teaspoon per day Talk to your doctor Suggested steps 32

MAKE THE TIME Do it BEFORE you experience symptoms Make a list of questions to ask (see handout) Write down what your doctor says Discuss genetic AND lifestyle factors Ask your doctor what tests you need Taking action—talking to your doctor 33

Make a commitment to your heart health! 34

Make a commitment to your heart health! 35 thehearttruth.ca facebook.com/thehearttruth

The Heart Truth helps you share the truth with: Interactive website: thehearttruth.cathehearttruth.ca The Heart Truth Presentation Kit (like this one!) The Heart Truth Viewing Party Kit The Heart Truth Fashion Show Kit Red Dress pin Fundraising Share the truth 36

SHARING THE TRUTH BRAINSTORM Who could YOU share with? What are YOUR networks? 37

Heart disease and stroke prevention are up to you! It’s time to make your heart health a priority! You have the power! 38

Questions ? 39