News Release

CANADIAN HEART HEALTH SURVEYS SHOW CANADIANS NEED TO SHAPE UP

Winnipeg, June 4, 1999 - Results from the Canadian Heart Health Surveys completed in 1992 and studies performed since that time show no improvement in the heart health of Canadians when compared with previous studies. A symposium being held this Sunday will profile the results of the Canadian Healt Health Study and examine why Canadians continue to practice unhealthy habits.

Overall, 64% of participants in the Study had at least one of three major risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease (heart disease and stroke): regular smoking (one or more cigarettes per day), elevated blood cholesterol and high blood pressure. One or more of these risk factors were present in 50% of men and women by the age of 24 years.

Obesity remains a major health burden among Canadian adults - there has been no substantial change in the prevalence of obesity in Canada since 1978. People with a body mass index (BMI) over 35 are most likely to have high blood pressure, diabetes, and high blood cholesterol.

The symposium on the Canadian Heart Health Study will be held at the Winnipeg Convention Centre on Sunday June 6 from 10:30 to 12:20 during the International Conference on Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease.

The International Conference on Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease
is being chaired by Dr. Aubie Angel, President of the Diabetes Research and Treatment Centre in Winnipeg, and Dr. Narjanan S. Dhalla, Director of the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences.

Approximately 300 doctors and scientists from Canada, the United States, Japan, Hong Kong, Europe and India are expected to attend.

For more information and to book interviews, please contact:

Barbara Steele, Heart and Stroke Foundation, (613) 569-4361 Ext. 318   cell (613) 859-6903
Sandi Krawchenko (204) 255-6700   cell (204) 291-4422

See also: Related Abstracts