Heart disease mysteries

Heart and Stroke Foundation researchers work tirelessly to improve the health of Canadians every day. Their discoveries prevent disease, save lives and promote recovery. There are many exciting studies in the works. The following are just a few examples:

• A ground-breaking new study is aimed at revealing the root causes of chronic disease. The answers could save lives for generations to come.
• Dr. Karin Humphries is studying why women lag behind men in recovering from a heart attack, and how we can close that gender gap.
• Dr. Gordon Francis changed our understanding of cholesterol’s role in heart disease. Now he’s building on that work to prevent heart attacks.
• Dr. Andrew Krah is working to save lives by uncovering the DNA sequences behind LQTS, a rare condition that puts healthy people at risk of sudden death.
• Dr. Edward Pryzdial is studying a new clot-busting drug with the potential to give stroke patients safer, faster, and more effective treatment.

Yet despite our best efforts to live a healthy lifestyle and follow a proper diet, for many, heart problems persist. Puzzles remain unsolved. I know of several people in the cycling community who in the past year have discovered heart problems. One is a former professional triathlete and current coach. His story was profiled in the Ottawa Sun last week leading up to the Ottawa Race Weekend.

A couple hours before Rick Hellard found out he had a potentially life-threatening heart condition, he had been out running. When his doctor called to tell him he needed to rush himself to the emergency room, he was preparing to head out for a bike ride.

According to the article:

There was no collapse. No ambulance ride. Hellard walked into the hospital himself. A few years earlier, he had been diagnosed with first-degree atrioventricular block, a condition where the signals from the atria to the ventricles, which sets the pace at which the heart beats, are interrupted. A year later, Hellard’s condition was downgraded to a second-degree blockage.

A year ago, when he arrived at the hospital, things had gotten much worse. He had to have a pacemaker implanted in his chest to correct his heart rhythm. Hellard is now back to training as he did before.

I have a friend who is dealing with the frustrations of an improperly functioning heart. It won’t allow her to do everyday activities, let alone exercise the way she would like. She feels fatigue from the slightest effort. Taking the stairs is not an option. Despite many tests, the results have yet to resolve the problem.

My chiropractor was struck down with a stroke as a young man in his thirties. More than ten years later he still does not have the use of his left arm and his left leg is not fully functioning.

I highlight these stories not to be pessimistic but simply to underline the fact that more research is needed. These are not cases of personal neglect or lack of self-care. These people got a raw deal. Their heart issues are likely genetically predetermined. Nevertheless it is possible, even likely, that one day there will be answers for why these heart conditions occur and measures can be taken to prevent them. It is amazing how far we have come but we still have a ways to go. Let’s help the Heart and Stroke Foundation keep working toward a world free of heart disease and stroke by supporting their cause with our fundraising dollars and events like Kettlebells for Heart. See you on Sunday!