February is heart month

Local paramedics are spreading the word about February being Heart Month. Medavie EMS Ontario’s Public Relations Coordinator Stuart McKinnon says cardiac calls are one of the most frequent call types for Muskoka paramedics. Heart attacks are also and one of the most common causes of death in Canada. In fact, someone dies from heart disease or stroke every 7 minutes and 90 percent of the population has at least one risk factor for heart disease or stroke. You are encouraged to look for factors in your own life that can lead to heart disease and stroke. They include high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, smoking, and stress. If you can change these factors, you can reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke.