1. The facts about heart disease and stroke High Blood Pressure
PROTECT YOUR HEALTH
The facts about heart disease and stroke
High Blood Pressure

2. Millions of Canadians at risk of cardiovascular disease
Over 4.7 million people still smoke
Over 60% of Canadians are above a healthy weight
19% have high blood pressure
“Ninety percent of Canadians have at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease – which makes it more important than ever for the Heart and Stroke Foundation to support research into the root causes of  the  heart disease risk factors AND discovery of successful strategies to prevent the development of these risk factors.” 
Heart and Stroke Foundation Researcher Dr. Sonia Anand MD PhD FRCPc Professor of Medicine, McMaster University

3. Topics for today How the heart works Warning signs of heart attack
How the brain works
Warning signs of stroke
Risk factors, high blood pressure
What the Heart and Stroke Foundation is doing

4. How the Heart Works

5. The heart Is a muscle the size of a clenched fist
Is located behind the breastbone
Pumps about 100,000 times a day
Pumps about 7,600 litres of blood per day

6. Anatomy of the heart

7. Atherosclerosis
Plaque

8. Heart attacks Blood flow through coronary arteries is blocked
Vital blood supply to heart muscle is cut off
About 70,000 heart attacks each year
Victims can often recover if treated immediately

9. Warning signs of a heart attack
Chest discomfort (uncomfortable chest pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain, burning or heaviness) Discomfort in other areas of the upper body (neck, jaw, shoulders, arms, back)

10. Warning signs of a heart attack
Shortness of breath
Sweating
Nausea
Light-headedness

11. Warning signs of a heart attack
If you are experiencing any of the warning signs of a heart attack ….
Call or your local emergency number IMMEDIATELY
Stop all activity
Take your normal dose of nitroglycerin (if prescribed)
If you are experiencing chest pain, take one dose of mg of ASA.
Rest until the EMS arrive

12. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
Most important factor in reducing pre-hospital deaths from cardiac arrest
CPR courses teach lifesaving skills
The Heart and Stroke Foundation collaborated on Resuscitation Guidelines in the US and Canada
“It only takes a few minutes to save a life. CPR and defibrillation if administered early can triple or quadruple a person’s chance of survival.”
Heart and Stroke Foundation researcher Ian G. Stiell, MD, MSc, FRCPC Professor and Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Ottawa
Distinguished Professor and University Health Research Chair, University of Ottawa

13. Automated external defibrillator (AED)
Automatically analyses heart rhythm
Delivers controlled shock if needed to restore normal heart rhythm
Now found in public places such as sports arenas and airports
For course information, please call HSF-INFO

14. How the Brain Works

15. The brain

16. A stroke is…
An injury to a part of the brain caused by interruption of blood flow
“Research has shown us that when blood flow is reduced, the brain tries to protect itself by releasing certain chemicals. In the short term, these chemicals can be protective but if blood flow is not restored quickly, they can actually contribute to brain damage. These insights have opened up new possibilities for developing drugs to protect the brain—agents that we call neuroprotectives.” 
Heart and Stroke Foundation Researcher Yu Tian Wang, PhD Heart and Stroke Foundation of British Columbia and Yukon Chair in Stroke Research
Professor, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia

17. Ischemic strokes

18. Hemorrhagic strokes

19. Warning signs of a stroke
Stroke can be treated. That’s why its so important to recognize and respond to the warning signs.
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

20. Warning signs of a stroke
Headache – Sudden severe and unusual headache
Dizziness – Sudden loss of balance, especially with any of the above signs
React immediately
If you experience any of these symptoms, Call or your local emergency number IMMEDIATELY

21. Risk Factors for Heart Disease and Stroke

22. Risk factors you can’t control
Age
Gender
Family history
Ethnicity
Prior stroke or TIA

23. What you can do to lower your risk
Know and control your blood pressure
Know and control your blood cholesterol
Manage your diabetes
Maintain a healthy weight
Eat a healthy diet
Limit alcohol consumption
Be physically active
Be smoke-free
Reduce stress

24. Know and control your high blood pressure
High blood pressure has no visible symptoms
Should be checked at least every two years by a healthcare professional
Visit heartandstroke.ca/bp

25. What is high blood pressure
“Blood pressure measures how hard blood pushes against the blood vessel walls.”
Copyright 1996 Tim Peters and Company, Inc. All rights reserved.

26. Blood pressure has TWO numbers
Top number = pressure when heart contracts (systolic)
Bottom number = pressure when heart relaxes (diastolic)
Example: healthy BP =

27. Classifications of hypertension
Category
Systolic Diastolic
Optimal
<
<80-85 mm Hg
High blood pressure
140
90 mm Hg or higher
High normal
80-89 mm Hg or higher
Note:
High blood pressure for diabetics remains 140/90. However when trying to control hypertension, the target level should be 130/80 or less as recommended by their physician.
In case of a direct question, this information given is in the slide notes for easy reference. Shadab Rana 9/25/2012
Canadian Hypertension Education Program (CHEP), 2012

28. High blood pressure can:
Increase risk of stroke
Increase risk of heart disease
Damage kidneys and eyes
Cause impotence
Disrupt circulation

29. Risk factors you can’t change
Age
Family history
Ethnic background
South Asian
Aboriginal Peoples
People of African Descent

30. Risk factors you can change
Take your blood pressure medication as prescribed
Understand and monitor your blood pressure
Be smoke-free
Maintain a healthy weight
Maintain a balanced diet
Get active
Limit alcohol intake
Manage stress

31. How often should I check my blood pressure?
Category
Frequency
Optimal
At least every two years by a healthcare provider
Every year or as recommended by your doctor
Above 139 89
Check often – your doctor will tell you just how often

32. If using a home blood pressure monitor:
Ask doctor’s advice
Record results and show to doctor
Select monitor endorsed by Hypertension Canada
Ensure correct cuff size
Check monitor for accuracy
Learn and use proper measurement technique

33. “White coat hypertension”
A few people have high blood pressure when they visit the doctor’s office but have normal blood pressure when they go about their usual daily activities.
Regular monitoring is required, as many people with WCH may develop high blood pressure over time.

34. Preparing to take your blood pressure:
Wait 2 hours after a big meal or heavy exercise
Wait 30 minutes after exercising, smoking or drinking caffeine
Don’t measure if you are in pain or upset
Be in calm warm environment
Empty your bladder or bowel
Sit quietly with your arm and back supported for 5 minutes prior

35. When taking your blood pressure:
Do not speak
Be seated
Keep back supported
Keep legs uncrossed
Keep feet flat on the floor
Ensure arm is supported
Place cuff on bare arm, 3 cm above fold of elbow, at heart level

36. Know and control your blood cholesterol
Ask your doctor if you are at risk and should be tested
Can be lowered by reducing your fat intake and being physically active
May be controlled with medication

37. Manage your diabetes
Damages blood vessels, causes circulation problems
Reduce risk of diabetes by healthy diet, activity, weight control
Control diabetes to reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke

38. Maintain a healthy weight
Achieve and maintain a healthy body weight by enjoying regular physical activity and healthy eating
Small weight loss can significantly reduce risk
Visit heartandstroke.ca/healthyliving
“With over 60% of Canadians being over-weight or obese, we are faced with a serious public health problem.”
Heart and Stroke Foundation Researcher
Bruce A. Reeder MD, MHSc, FRCPC
Department of Community Health and Epidemiology
University of Saskatchewan

39. Eat a balanced healthy diet
Enjoy a variety of foods from the four food groups
Choose lower fat dairy products, leaner meats and watch your portion size
Find delicious recipes and helpful cooking tips at heartandstroke.ca/recipes

40. Reduce dietary salt Choose fresh foods Prepare home cooked meals
Season foods with herbs, salt-free spices, lemon, vinegar, garlic and onion
Limit intake of salty condiments
Avoid salty processed foods
Look for products with the Health Check™ symbol

41. Limit alcohol consumption
Women—no more than 2 drinks/day to a maximum of 10 drinks/week
Men—no more than 3 drinks/day to a maximum of 15 drinks/week
These guidelines do not apply if you are driving a vehicle,
taking medications or other drugs that interact with alcohol,
pregnant or are trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding,
making important decisions, doing any kind of dangerous physical
activity, living with alcohol dependence or mental or physical
health problems, or responsible for the safety of others. I
f you are concerned about how drinking may affect your health,
talk to your doctor

42. Be physically active
Adults aged should accumulate at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity aerobic physical activity per week in bouts of 10 minutes or more
Be active most days of the week
Consult a healthcare professional before starting an activity program

43. Be smoke-free
Smoking cessation programs improve the chances of quitting
Visit heartandstroke.ca for tips on quitting successfully
“After you quit smoking, your risk of heart attack begins to decrease within just two days. Within a year it’s cut in half. And within 10 to 15 years, your risk of heart disease is almost the same as a non-smoker’s.”
Heart and Stroke Foundation researcher Paul W. McDonald, PHD Professor and Chair, Health Studies and Gerontology University of Waterloo

44. Reduce stress Recognize sources of stress
Consider relaxation exercises
Ask for help from family, friends, or a healthcare professional

45. What the Heart and Stroke Foundation is doing

46. The Heart and Stroke Foundation at work in your community
World class research
Advocating for social change
CPR/AEDs
Promoting healthy living

47. Interested in volunteering?
Visit heartandstroke.ca
Call HSF-INFO
Contact your local area office

48. Visit heartandstroke.ca and sign up today!

49. What can YOU do?
Learn about your risk factors and how to reduce their impact
Know the warning signs of heart disease and stroke and what to do
Learn CPR
Become a volunteer
Sign up for
Visit heartandstroke.ca

50. Thank you!