February: The perfect time to debunk heart health myths

By Anisha Nayar, Shoppers Drug Mart Pharmacist/Owner, Leamington

Editor’s Note: With February being Heart Month, local pharmacist Anisha Nayar has submitted this article to help make readers aware of heart health.

As a pharmacist, helping our community take care of their heart health is always a priority, but Heart Month serves as an important reminder for the most common heart health issue that often goes undetected – hypertension, also known as high blood pressure.

Hypertension is responsible for up to 50 per cent of deaths due to heart disease and stroke is a leading cause of kidney disease and failure, making it crucial for Canadians to prioritize their heart health this month and beyond.

New survey data from Shoppers Drug Mart reveals one-in-five Canadians haven’t had their blood pressure checked in the last 18 months and 13 per cent never have it checked at all. Hypertension is a silent killer, and ignorance is putting Canadians at risk.

Getting active treatment of hypertension can result in a reduction in stroke incidence by approximately 35 to 40 per cent and reduction in incidence of coronary heart disease by eight to 14 per cent. It’s time for Leamingtonians to prioritize our heart health.

Here are the top myths around heart health I hear from patients and the truths about each:

• Men are at a higher risk of hypertension than women throughout their lives.

FALSE. Hypertension is of particular concern for older women, as those over age 60 are at higher risk for developing hypertension than men. Many women don’t know the associated risks which means it often goes undiagnosed. Factors including pregnancy and menopause can increase the risk of women developing high blood pressure.

• Healthy people don’t need to get their blood pressure checked.

FALSE. Even if you are in good health, you should check your blood pressure once a year. Hypertension is more common than many people think, affecting nearly one-in-four Canadians. By checking your blood pressure regularly, you and your pharmacist or healthcare provider can identify ways to meet your blood pressure targets that may require support through lifestyle or medication changes.

Anisha Nayar, Shoppers Drug Mart Pharmacist/Owner, Leamington

You may think hypertension shows obvious signs and symptoms, but many of my patients are surprised to learn that it often presents no symptoms until it has reached a severe or life-threatening stage. That’s why it’s so important to prioritize your heart health and get your blood pressure checked regularly to help identify any potential issues.

• I can only get my blood pressure checked by my family physician.

FALSE. Your local pharmacist can help you use an in-store blood pressure monitor, explain what the reading means and work with your family physician to help develop a plan to meet your blood pressure targets. If you’ve been prescribed any medications for hypertension or are looking to monitor your blood pressure at home, your pharmacist can also review these with you.

For more advice and information on managing your heart health, speak to your local pharmacist. They can support patients with hypertension to better manage their condition. As your local, frontline healthcare professional, they can help you understand and maintain your heart health.