Seniors, Wellness and Social Development
Health and Community Services
February 2, 2015

Promoting Heart Health for Families and Communities

Heart Month Highlights Ways to Help Prevent Heart Disease

February is Heart Month in Newfoundland and Labrador and the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development, and the Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services, have joined with the Newfoundland and Labrador Heart and Stroke Foundation to highlight the important role that active, healthy living plays in both the prevention and management of heart disease.

�In terms of prevention, we need to continue our efforts to create environments and conditions that encourage and support people to make healthier food choices, be physically active and live smoke-free. Heart Month provides us with an opportunity to highlight the positive changes we can all make in our lives to reduce our vulnerability to heart disease and improve our overall health.�
- The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

The focus of Heart Month 2015 is to create awareness of two of the major risk factors for heart disease and stroke, hypertension (high blood pressure) and tobacco use. The Provincial Government works with a variety of community groups, as well as federal, provincial and territorial partners, to identify ways for residents to lower sodium intake, and to prevent and reduce smoking.

There are also provincial programs and services to help manage chronic disease. The provincial Chronic Disease Self-Management Program Improving Health: My Way is a free program designed to help people positively manage the daily challenges of living with a chronic condition. Workshops are co-led by trained leaders who themselves have a chronic condition or have cared for someone living with a chronic condition. The program covers topics such as nutrition, proper use of medications, appropriate exercises for strength and flexibility, communicating effectively with family, friends and health care professionals and techniques for dealing with pain and fatigue.

�While prevention is a priority, people who live with chronic diseases, such as stroke and heart disease, also need support in managing their condition. I encourage residents to learn more about Improving Health: My Way and how it can help them. To date, over 1,200 people have participated in this program throughout the province.�
- The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Community Services

Approximately 63 per cent of Newfoundland and Labrador�s population over the age of 12 has at least one chronic disease, and residents of this province have a higher percentage of obesity and diabetes than the national average. For more information on Improving Health: My Way, call the Newfoundland and Labrador Healthline at 1-888-709-2929.

�Heart Month is a wonderful opportunity for the Heart and Stroke Foundation to strengthen our message on the major role that healthy living plays in preventing heart disease and stroke in our population. In Newfoundland and Labrador, our death rates from heart disease and stroke are amongst the highest in Canada. Several unique genetic factors, coupled with high rates of obesity, physical inactivity and high blood pressure place our population at high risk for these diseases.�
- Mary Ann Butt, CEO, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Newfoundland and Labrador.

To learn more about local Heart Month events, coordinated by the Heart and Stroke Foundation, visit: www.facebook.com/Heartontherock.  

QUICK FACTS

• February is Heart Month and an important opportunity to highlight the critical role that active, healthy living plays in the prevention and management of all chronic diseases, including heart disease and stroke.
• The Provincial Government provides $210,000 annually to the Alliance for the Control of Tobacco and $220,000 for the Newfoundland and Labrador Lung Association�s Provincial Smokers� Helpline (1-800-363-5864), which hears from about 1,400 individual callers each year.
• Approximately 63 per cent of Newfoundland and Labrador�s population over the age of 12 has at least one chroniease.
• For more information on Improving Health: My Way, call the Newfoundland and Labrador Healthline at 1-888-709-2929.
• To learn more about local Heart Month events, coordinated by the Heart and Stroke Foundation, visit: www.facebook.com/Heartontherock.  

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2015 02 02                              10:40 a.m.