More Pennsylvanians die from heart disease than any other cause. Cardiovascular illnesses are expected to kill more than 31,000 residents this year.
The latest figures show that 30 percent of state residents are obese and about a third have high blood pressure, both important risk factors for heart disease.
Statistics show that lifestyle changes and controlling risk factors, such as these, could prevent 80 percent of heart problems and strokes.
A local cardiologist says that’s an important message for all ages. “The older we get, the more imperative it is to make sure that we’re staying in shape, watching our diet and staying active,” says Dr. George Jabbour, Interventional Cardiologist, UPMC Altoona.
“We all say, we did our duties, we’re older now, we should rest, we should do less. That’s really the wrong attitude,” he cautions.
According to Dr. Jabbour, that advice is even more important for women, because after menopause, their blood pressure and cholesterol levels start to rise. Also, even when women get immediate care for a heart attack, they tend to do much worse, over the long term.
