Campaign posters urge Canadians with a family history of heart attack or stroke to see a doctor about it.

Campaign posters urge Canadians with a family history of heart attack or stroke to see a doctor about it.
Photo Credit: Heart & Stroke Foundation

Heart, stroke: family history is important for you

One-third of Canadians have close relatives who have had heart attacks or strokes, but many have not talked to their doctors about their own increased risk. The Canadian Heart & Stroke Foundation is on a campaign to get them to do so.

Risks are double for those who have a mother who had a stroke or heart attack before age 65 or a father who had one before 55. The risk is also high for those with a sibling or child who has had a stroke or heart attack. These cardo-vascular events are a leading cause of death in Canada.

 One-third of Canadians may be genetically predisposed for heart attack or stroke.
One-third of Canadians may be genetically predisposed for heart attack or stroke. © CBC

Patients aware of risk often ‘shrug it off’

A survey has found that half of Canadians had a parent, sibling or child who died yet a full third have not visited the doctor or discussed their inherited risk. “Interestingly, they’re more concerned often for their children than they are for themselves,” says Dr. Robert Hegele, a professor of medicine at Western University and a scientist funded by the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

“They often shrug it off—any risk they may have personally. I think a lot of the times even if they are aware there is a family history, they deny it. There’s a kind of natural human defence mechanism.”

Listen
Dr. Robert Hegele says at-risk Canadians can take action to reduce their risk of heart attack and stroke.
Dr. Robert Hegele says at-risk Canadians can take action to reduce their risk of heart attack and stroke. © Robarts Research

Changes can prolong life

People need to overcome that, says Hegele, because there are lifestyle changes and medication that can help people minimize their risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Changes to diet, exercise, smoking habits, weight can help, as can medications for high blood pressure or cholesterol.

So, Hegele suggests people pay close attention to their family history, and if a close relative has had a heart attack or stroke he urges them to speak to their doctor and take action so they do not themselves succumb to cardio-vascular disease.

“In terms of premature deaths in Canada and taking loved ones away, it’s very, very common. It affects every family.”
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