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HOME / OUR MISSION / HEART DISEASE
The Truth About Heart Disease Heart disease doesn’t discriminate. It is the leading cause of death in both men and women and its incidence is increasing rapidly as the population ages. It is a disease that is growing. By 2020, heart disease will become the largest disease burden worldwide. The odds are you know someone or will know someone – a loved one or a friend – who will be affected by heart disease. Even more concerning are the complications of heart disease and the fact that the disease can develop into something more serious such as heart failure. Heart failure is presently the most common cause of hospitalization in North America. Some 500,000 Canadians suffer from heart failure and it can be brought on by damage caused by heart attack or other complications. In some cases the disease can come on all of a sudden in someone who was healthy and symptom-free. In either case, the health of people with heart failure often declines rapidly and an immediate response is needed to save their life. Even more troubling is it can also happen in the elderly as well as the young. In all of these situations, once the heart is on its very last legs, it requires special intervention that can only be done through a heart transplant or through the use of a mechanical heart – a temporary measure to bridge the gap until a donor organ is available. Research into how to treat and remedy the disease is focused on learning new and improved surgical techniques, developing better equipment to look at the factors that cause the disease in the first place, and regenerative medicine. Regenerative Medicine is providing a new hope for the future in mending hearts and making them healthy again. By using your own tissues and cells, it is hoped that the heart will be able to heal itself by repairing the damage and regenerating new tissue. With your help, we can ensure that as many people as possible are able to live long, healthy and prosperous lives.
Quick Facts: Heart Disease What is heart disease? Many disorders of the heart have been identified by doctors. Some are rare while others are widespread. The most common heart problems are: Coronary artery disease – The coronary arteries supplying blood to the heart become blocked with atherosclerotic plaque. Arrhythmias – The electrical system of the heart which controls the heart beat starts to malfunction. Valve disorders – One or more of the heart valves does not function properly. Heart muscle disease – The heart muscle itself can become diseased (for example, carditis or congestive heart failure). Incidence of Cardiovascular Disease – Cardiovascular diseases are defined as diseases and injuries of the cardiovascular system: the heart, the blood vessels of the heart, and the system of blood vessels (veins and arteries) throughout the body and within the brain. Stroke is the result of a blood flow problem in the brain. It is considered a form of cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease deaths – Cardiovascular disease accounts for the death of more Canadians than any other disease. In 2002 (the latest year for which Statistics Canada has data), cardiovascular disease accounted for 74,626* Canadian deaths. 32% of all male deaths in Canada in 2002 were due to heart diseases, diseases of the blood vessels and stroke. For women, the toll was even higher – 34% of all female deaths in 2002 were due to cardiovascular disease. 54% of all cardiovascular deaths are due to coronary artery disease; 21% to stroke; 16% to other forms of heart disease such as problems with the electrical system of the heart, viral heart infections, and heart muscle disease, and the remaining 9% to vascular problems such as high blood pressure and hardening of the arteries. Cost of cardiovascular diseases * Statistics Canada, Causes of Death 2002. Released 2004.
Quick Facts: Women & Heart Disease Heart disease is not just a concern for men. It is a disease that does not discriminate and is the leading cause of death of both men and women. The main difference in heart disease between men and women is usually a delay in time from when it appears. On average, women develop heart disease seven to ten years later than men. The female hormone estrogen helps protect most women against developing diseased arteries before menopause. But there are always exceptions, particularly if there is a family history, a congenital defect, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure or lifestyle issues such as smoking, physical inactivity and being overweight. The protection provided with the estrogen can create a false sense of security for women. As a result, by the time most women are diagnosed with heart disease, they tend to be older than the typical male. They are more likely to have co-existing chronic diseases such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Such factors can make diagnosing and treating female heart patients even more challenging. Another challenge is that heart disease has been traditionally thought of as a male health problem. As a result, women tend to ignore important warning signs often with devastating results. One of the reasons for this lack of attention relates to important differences in the symptoms that men and women experience. For both sexes, the most common sign of a heart attack is chest pain or discomfort, and difficulties in breathing. Women may be more likely to experience pain in their necks, jaws or back, as well as nausea. These symptoms may be mild to severe and may come or go. It is important for women to recognize all of the symptoms of heart attack as well as acknowledge any unusual pains that they may normally dismiss and always seek immediate medical attention. Warning Signals
© Reproduced with the permission of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, 2006. www.heartandstroke.ca
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