Common risk factors of cardiovascular disease

About 1 in 12 (or 2.4 million) Canadian adults aged 20 and over live with diagnosed heart disease (CCCDSS). This program will encourage to reduce the modifiable risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease, and focus on a positive, healthy lifestyle with physical activity.

These are a few common risk factors:
Hypertension (high blood pressure) is the most common form of cardiovascular disease. It refers to the resting blood pressure chronically elevated above levels considered to be healthy for your age.
Normal < 120/80 mm Hg
Hypertension > 140/90 mm Hg

Diabetes is the most common non-communicable disease worldwide. A serious disease where blood sugar levels are above normal, Type 1 (insulin dependent diabetes) is normally hereditary and Type 2 (non-insulin dependent) often adult onset, associated with excess upper body fat and inactivity and accounts for 90% (WHO) or more of cases. There is a third form of diabetes gestational diabetes, which occurs during the second or third trimester of pregnancy.

Dyslipidemia is an abnormal amount of lipids (e.g. triglycerides, cholesterol &/or fat phospholipids) in the blood. Isolated hypercholesterolaemia (high cholesterol) and mixed dyslipidemia with high LDL cholesterol, high triglycerides and low HDL cholesterol are associated with an elevated risk of atherosclerosis.

Obesity since 1985, the prevalence of obesity has increased by 200 per cent in Canada, with the highest increases occurring in the excessive weight categories.For adults, WHO defines overweight and obesity as follows:
Overweight is a BMI greater than or equal to 25;
Obesity is a BMI greater than or equal to 30.

Why is exercise important?

Incorporating physical activity into your normal routine is beneficial by reducing associated cardiovascular risk factors by:

• Reducing blood pressure by 7/5mmHg
• Reducing and helping with your cholesterol and triglycerides levels in your blood
• Reduces risk of developing type 2 diabetes
• Lowers blood sugar levels in diabetes type 2
• Maintains and control a healthy weight
• Improves blood circulation

The sessions will cover and focus on positive, healthy lifestyle and motivation with physical activity. WillKin Kinesiologist will find activities that you enjoy and will focus on aerobic training, large muscle strength training, functional movement and core stability.

Remaining physically active has been deemed a “health-promoting behaviour” by Health Canada, meaning that physical activity can help an individual maintain a healthy lifestyle, and potentially mitigate some of the risks associated with their chronic condition(s).

Exercising safely

Exercise is a safe option in order to reduce risk factors and is highly encouraged by physicians. Speak to your physician to see if you are able to start an exercise program. If you have peripheral neuropathy, there are adaptive exercises that the Kinesiologist will consider while prescribing you exercises. The Kinesiologist will also monitor blood pressure and heart rate levels during exercise to ensure you are feeling well at all times. It is important to start slowly when beginning a new exercise program and to contact an exercise professional. At WillKin we will help you find a Kinesiologist that has the knowledge and experience to the condition you are living with.

Topics covered over the OneLifestyle program