Written By Jeffrey Reed
A new study from Heart & Stroke reveals some alarming yet predictable statistics in terms of overall well-being. According to the report, only about half of Canadian adults meet their weekly physical activity recommendations. And, just over half of children–and only two in 10 youth–meet their daily physical activity recommendations.
This new study offers information on the state of risk factors for heart disease and stroke in Canada–it’s a comprehensive, up-to-date snapshot based on data covering medical, lifestyle-related and non-modifiable risks.
In 2003, I was handed a wakeup call when I suffered a TIA–a transient ischemic attack, or mini stroke. My entire family tree is riddled with both heart disease and history of strokes, so genetics has always been against me. Stuck between a long baseball career and a few years away from becoming a five-days-a-week walking golfer, I had put myself in a precarious spot which opened my eyes to the importance of a life-long commitment to fitness, proper diet and avoiding unnecessary stress.
Recently, I have committed to drastically reducing my daily screen time, and it has already paid huge dividends. As soon as I ditched much of my time in front of screens for more time enjoying the great outdoors, my overall well-being improved immensely.
According to the Canadian Paediatric Society, guidelines recommend no screen time for children under 2 (except video chatting), less than one hour daily for ages 2–5, and under two hours for ages 5–17. Excessive screen time is linked to poor sleep, lower physical activity and higher stress. It is estimated over 35% of Canadian youth exceed these guidelines. In fact, a recent public service campaign from Rogers estimates teens spend more than five hours each day in front of phones and monitors.
No matter what your age, making wise lifestyle choices will almost certainly better your chances of fighting off heart disease and stroke, according to Heart & Stroke CEO Doug Roth. He said, “While there have been advances around understanding, reducing and managing risk, nine in 10 people in Canada have at least one key modifiable risk factor for heart disease and stroke. The good news is that almost 80% of premature heart disease and stroke can be prevented by making healthy lifestyle changes. And, other risk factors such as high blood pressure and cholesterol can often be effectively managed and controlled through lifestyle changes and medication.”
According to Heart & Stroke, while only half of Canadians know their own risk for heart disease and stroke, more than nine in 10 recognize the importance of taking action to prevent heart disease and stroke, including by understanding, reducing and managing their personal risk factors.
Entering my mid-60s, I am more aware now than ever before about the benefits of exercise, stress reduction and proper diet–something from which a 40-year-old me would have benefited. But we can’t escape our genetic code. We can, however, try better to lead a healthy lifestyle.
Award-winning writer Jeffrey Reed has covered Middlesex County sports since 1980. He is publisher and editor of
LondonOntarioSports.com. Reach him at
jeff@londonontariosports.com.
