Why heart health matters

Public health organizations estimate that about 80% of heart attacks and strokes in individuals under 75 could have been prevented simply by improving heart health. Spring is in the air now, so this is a good time to remember that regular exercise, quitting smoking and getting your blood pressure down can all improve heart health.

One problem with heart disease is that the damage that occurs inside your arteries isn’t directly visible, making it more difficult for you to recognize there’s a problem and adjust your habits accordingly. One measure that can help you understand your risk of a heart attack or stroke is “Heart Age”, an indicator that is calculated based on your risk factors for heart disease, which include things like your diet, level of physical activity, smoking as well as your age and family history, among other factors. Men over 50 are particularly at risk, as they have some of the highest Heart Age results. 1 in 10 men over 50 has a Heart Age at least 10 years older than their actual age.

If you’d like to know your Heart Age score, you can use this online calculator to find out.

Giving our arteries more love, care and attention can clearly have a positive impact on our health and even increase our life span. The better you take care of your arteries, the more you’ll get back later in life.

Smoking and your heart

Smoking contributes to the development of atherosclerosis, a disease in which plaque builds up inside your arteries. This forces the heart to work harder, which can lead to heart attacks. As a result, smokers are up to four times more likely to experience sudden cardiac death than non-smokers.

There are many health benefits to quitting smoking. Some are immediate while others occur after years of being smoke-free. For example, after 15 years without smoking, your risk of heart disease is similar to that of a non-smoker.

While quitting smoking can be challenging, there are many resources available to help you on your journey. Try:

• Smoker’s Helpline: Call 1-877-513-5333 or visit smokershelpline.ca to register for online programs and receive text message support.
• Break it Off: A free mobile app designed to help people quit smoking and stay smoke-free. Visit breakitoff.ca for more information.

The many ways exercise helps your heart

Exercise has many health benefits for the heart. It burns calories, which can help you maintain or reach a healthy weight, and it can lower blood pressure and improve sugar regulation and cholesterol levels. Exercise also encourages the heart's arteries to dilate more readily and the sympathetic nervous system (which controls heart rate and blood pressure) to be less reactive.

But exercise doesn’t have to mean long hours at the gym. Walking briskly, even for as little as 5 minutes, counts as exercise.  Exercise also doesn’t have to happen all in one session, you can accumulate exercise time throughout your day by engaging in short and frequent sessions as well.

Brisk walking is simply walking a little faster than usual, at a pace that gets your heart pumping. For a simple, easy way to incorporate exercise into your life, try brisk walking for a minimum of 10 minutes of day. Go shopping on foot, go for an afternoon stroll with your dog or simply go for a walk and enjoy some fresh air.

If you would like to speak with a Lifemark clinician about heart health, check out our Locations page to find a clinic near you or book online to schedule an appointment at a Lifemark clinic near you.