Email this page  Print this page  del.icio.us  digg

Top surgeon exhorts Latinos to cut heart disease risk

Valentines aren't the only hearts to be concerned about this month

Valentines aren't the only hearts to be concerned about this month

Heart disease ranks as the No. 1 killer of Latinos, claiming 29 percent of the more than 117,000 Hispanics who die each year, even outranking cancer, according to the American Heart Association.

February is National American Heart Month. But Arizona Heart Institute Founder and Medical Director Dr. Edward Diethrich says that not enough Americans do what it takes to give their hearts the best chance of staying in top shape.

Diethrich says that extensive research on what is referred to as the metabolic syndrome, which relates to how a person's metabolism works, is connected to a combination of risk factors for heart disease. These include obesity, diabetes, cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking and stress, more recently officially identified as a risk factor.

"Latinos have a tendency to fall into those categories. Being overweight or obese, and having diabetes, Latinos have a higher percent in those risk factors," he says.

"If we're going to decrease risk of heart attacks and strokes and hypertension, then we're going to have to address what causes those, beyond heredity."

Diethrich says that often one risk factor is accompanied by another. For example an overweight person will likely have high blood pressure, the combination of which could bring on diabetes.

"It's a domino effect," he says.

Diethrich advises everyone, even if they do not exhibit any of the risks, to get their blood analyzed for cholesterol and other indicators. Cutting the chances of heart disease and stroke is as simple as eating sensibly, avoiding high fats and fast food, avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol drinking, and getting regular exercise. However, practicing these health routines is not.

"People are not motivated, not worried. People are overweight. You can see it in the fast food advertisements. In the last couple of years, we have completely let up on watching our diet. But a person who is conscious about their health will walk away from it," he says.

"Fats taste good, that's the problem."

Speaking of walking, there will be Heart Walks in both Phoenix and Tucson to help raise awareness and research funds for heart disease. Check out the accompanying boxes for more information.