VANCOUVER -- We may be showing our age a lot earlier, according to the Heart and Stroke foundation. In it's annual report card on heart health, it says more and more unhealthy and overweight baby boomers are hitting their 60s -- the prime time for heart disease and stroke. The situation is so alarming, the foundation says this could be the first generation to turn back the clock and experience a decline in quality of life and life expectancy.
Two years ago, while at home in his kitchen, Don Boyce, had his second heart attack. He was 67 at the time.
Boyce was sitting at the table and began to feel dizzy. His wife asked if she should call an ambulance and it was a good thing she did. The paramedics were in the house for 4 minutes, Boyce was out in 8.
Amazingly he survived to tell the story.
The oldest baby boomers are now entering their 60's the time when heart attacks and strokes happen with greater frequency. What alarms experts it the overall health of these up and coming seniors
Dr. Beth Abramson, Cardiologist and Heart and Stroke Foundation spokesperson, says, "When the hear and stroke foundation first looked at boomers 10 years ago, a decline in their heart health was found compared to previous generations. A decade later, there were higher rates of physical inactivity. In fact, obesity rates soared 60 percent and physical inactivity rose to 52 percent."
Yet most boomers still think they'll live longer than the previous generation. At this rate it may not happen.
Dr. David MacLean, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at SFU, says he doesn't think it will break the health care system but certainly put some strains on it.
Dr. Maclean says it's time individuals and the government take steps to prevent heart disease among boomers. Like introducing tax incentives to get more people physically active. He also thinks we should have a National Heart Strategy. In some countries like Finland, this great impact, it's feasible. It's an investment, but compared to health care, it's a modest investment.
After his second heart attack, Don had a triple bypass and a defibrillator implanted surgically to prevent his heart from going into a fatal rhythm. Nowadays, he goes for regular walks and does light exercises. He knows his health is in his hands.
Experts say it's never too late to improve your heart health.. So get active, stop smoking and lose weight, even a little bit of weight loss can be benefitial. For more information, you can go to www.heartandstroke.ca.
Thursday February 16, 2006
