Overweight and obese make up majority in Ontario

New analysis of a landmark health survey by the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI) shows that 70% of Ontario adults are either overweight or obese, and have a strong prevalence of high blood pressure that could lead to heart attack or stroke. The research, led by Dr. Frans Leenen of the Heart Institute's Hypertension Unit, adds new information to a limited amount of Canadian data on obesity and high blood pressure. The analysis further strengthens the link between high blood pressure and above normal Body Mass Index (BMI), a formula for body composition calculated by height and weight. "Obesity is rapidly increasing in Canada because we are eating far more than our bodies require. We know better than ever that even being overweight creates other problems such as diabetes and high cholesterol levels and thereby endangers cardiovascular health," said Dr. Leenen. "Public health strategies to reduce the growing epidemic of obesity would also reduce the burden of high blood pressure and other negative effects leading to heart disease." Study results were published this week in the American Journal of Hypertension (AM J Hypertens 2010; 23: 1000-1006). They represent the latest analysis from the Ontario Survey on the Prevalence and Control of Hypertension, the first comprehensive assessment of high blood pressure in Canada since 1992

Fewer Ontarians dying of heart disease

"The rate of deaths related to heart disease decreased by 35 per cent in Ontario between 1994 and 2005 due to improvements in lifestyle factors and medical treatments, a new population study shows. Improvements in traditional risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) such as cholesterol levels and blood pressure were responsible for about half of the reduction in deaths, while new medical and surgical treatments were associated with 43 percent of the decrease. "Identifying the underlying factors associated with this decline is critical for planning future health policy and prioritizing strategies for prevention," says Dr. Harindra Wijeysundera, interventional cardiologist at the Schulich Heart Centre and lead author of the study. Although a reductions in smoking and inactivity each played an important role in the decline in CHD related deaths, the biggest difference came from a reduction in cholesterol levels and blood pressure - each representing about 20 percent of overall reductions in death. The most important change regarding new medical and surgical treatments was the number of patients taking appropriate medications."

Big tobacco will feel the burn with $50 billion lawsuit (Ontario)

"The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario applauds the Ontario Government for launching a $50 billion lawsuit that seeks damages for past and ongoing health care costs. This will finally hold the tobacco companies responsible for their duplicitous business tactics that has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Ontarians as well as placing an enormous strain on our health care system. In Spring 2009, Ontario joined British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba in passing legislation paving the way for law suits against tobacco companies, and the opportunity to form a strong multi-provincial coalition to ensure cost recovery and comprehensive settlements. Earlier this morning, Attorney General Chris Bentley filed a $50 billion lawsuit against the tobacco manufacturers. The lawsuit represents tobacco-related health care costs borne by Ontarians since 1955. Tobacco related health care costs currently total more than $1.6 billion a year in Ontario"