Ep. 155: What Do I Need to Know About Heart Disease?
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February is Heart Health month, and with the heartiest (ahem) of holidays coming up, in the form of Valentine’s Day, what better time to bring attention to how you can keep your heart healthy and strong? Heart disease is the second leading cause of death in Canada, and is the first leading cause of premature death in women. Here, Medcan director of cardiology, Dr. Beth Abramson, joins Dr. Peter Nord to break down everything you need to know about heart disease, and the main risk factors that cause it. Learn what you can do to reduce your risk, how the risk factors are different for women, and how COVID-19 can affect your heart.
LINKS
Want to learn more about your heart health? Book a consultation with Medcan’s cardiology team by emailing bookingteam@medcan.com.
Check out Episode 145 of Eat Move Think, where we explored the science behind the new hs-Troponin test, and why it’s saving lives.
Visit HeartandStroke.ca for helpful resources, information, testimonials and to donate to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.
Read more about heart disease risk factors for women in Dr. Abramson’s article here.
See the Heart Month Toolkit by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
Check out Dr. Abramson’s book, Heart Health for Canadians: The Definitive Guide.
INSIGHTS
Meet Dr. Beth Abramson, Medcan’s director of cardiology and preventive cardiologist at St. Michael’s Hospital. [2:12]
Why do people get heart disease, and how is that different from having a heart attack? [4:57]
What is angina, and how do its symptoms differ from a heart attack? [7:58]
Dr. Beth Abramson gives an overview of the most common risk factors for heart disease:
Family history [12:43]
Smoking [13:37]
High blood pressure [14:22]
Diabetes [14:55]
Cholesterol [15:27]
How can you lower your cholesterol with lifestyle changes? [16:05]
What’s the difference between “good” and “bad” cholesterol? [19:54]
How does diabetes affect your risk of heart disease, and what can you do to lower that risk? [26:29]
Dealing with excess stress can cause our blood pressure to spike. How can you manage your blood pressure with lifestyle changes? [29:00]
When it comes to heart health and risk of heart disease, what is most important for women to know? [30:57]
What’s the connection between COVID and heart health? [34:07]
What are Dr. Abramson’s biggest tips for living a heart-healthy lifestyle? [36:25]
*LEGAL
This podcast episode is intended to provide general information about health and wellness only and is not designed, or intended to constitute, or be used as a substitute for, medical advice, treatment or diagnosis. You should always talk to your Medcan health care provider for individual medical advice, diagnosis and treatment, including your specific health and wellness needs.
The podcast is based on the information available at the time of preparation and is only accurate and current as of that date. Source information and recommendations are subject to change based on scientific evidence as it evolves over time. Medcan is not responsible for future changes or updates to the information and recommendations, and assumes no obligation to update based on future developments.
Reference to, or mention of, specific treatments or therapies, does not constitute or imply a recommendation or endorsement. The links provided within the associated document are to assist the reader with the specific information highlighted. Any third-party links are not endorsed by Medcan.