by Marty Brown
Northern News Services
NNSL (Feb 05/97) - If you hear a knock on your door this week, it could be canvassers from the Heart and Stoke Fund.
Jane Curren is co-ordinating the campaign because heart disease and strokes kill about 80,000 Canadians a year -- 43 per cent of all deaths, she said.
"The cost to society in lost wages, production, medication and hospital care is $26 billion a year," said Curren.
Last year Yellowknifers donated about $20,000 to the Heart Fund and even with a downturn in the economy Curren and her canvassers hope to collect as much again this year.
Curren offers a short quiz to those who are wondering about heart disease:
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1. Has anyone in your immediate family suffered a heart attack, required heart surgery or had a stoke prior to age 65? a) Yes b) No |
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2. Have you been told by a health professional that you have high blood pressure or do you take medication to lower your blood pressure? a) Yes b) No |
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3. Are you a diabetic? a) Yes b) No |
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4. Have you been told by a health professional that you have high cholesterol or have you ever been prescribed a cholesterol-lowering medication? a) Yes b) No |
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5. Has your doctor told you that you have a heart condition? Have you ever suffered a heart attack, required heart surgery or had a stroke? a) Yes b) No |
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6. Are you: a) Age 65 or over b) Age 40 - 65 years c) Under age 40 |
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Personal risk profile 2 points for every a, 0 for b. For question 6, you get 2 points for a, 1 point for b, 0 point for c. Curren said if you have more a's than b's, be sure you see a doctor and give generously to the Heart and Stroke fund. |