Many heart attack, stroke survivors aren't changing their old habits

The results of a recent poll published in a report by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada this week found that some heart attack and stroke survivors aren't making the changes recommended to avoid another event. The online poll of 2,010 Canadians who had survived a heart attack or stroke and loved ones answering on behalf of a survivor found that of the people polled, 2 of 10 admitted that their lifestyle and habits had not changed at all while 1 in 10 said they were even unhealthier than before. The good news is that 7 out of 10 survivors reported living a healthier lifestyle since their heart attack or stroke. While a lack of motivation was cited as the biggest barrier patients face when it comes to changing their lifestyle and adopting the recommended changes, the poll found that most survivors who did make changes had one very important thing in common: the support of loved ones. The poll revealed that more than 8 in 10 survivors felt that their family support had a positive impact and helped them to lead a healthier lifestyle, showing the vital role that friends and family play when it comes to recovery. With 80 percent of all heart disease and stroke being preventable, it's clear that making better choices and relying on friends and family for help is the way to go for all of us. As stated in the report by Dr. Beth Abramson, Heart and Stroke Foundation spokesperson, "We cannot control all the factors that put us at risk for cardiovascular disease, but there are healthy changes people can make to largely prevent them from having a heart attack or stroke in the first place." She also stresses that adopting healthy behaviors is especially important for those who are already living with cardiovascular disease. To lower your risk of heart disease and stroke or preventing another event, the Heart and Stroke Foundation recommends the following 5 healthy behaviors for everyone: • Eat a healthy diet. • Engage in 30 minutes of any kind of physical activity on most days of the week. • Quit smoking. • Manage stress by identifying the sources, taking time for yourself, and talking to loved ones about what's bothering you. • Limiting your alcohol consumption to no more than 2 drinks a day for women and 3 drinks a day for men.