Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 16, Number 9, 1 September 1999 — Silent stalker strikes at Hawaiian hearts [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Silent stalker strikes at Hawaiian hearts

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By Paula Durbln ^ ILENTLY, STEALTHILY, heart disease claims K Hawaiian lives at an alarming rate. Hawaiians are 66 times more vnlnerable to death from this secreJtive stalker than the general populahon, according to S Dr. William Dang, the cardiologist currently serving as president of the loeal chapter of the American Heart Association. "This means that of 100 people selected randomly £rom the general populaūon, one will die from heart disease, but of 100 Hawaiians, 66 will," Dr. Dang explained. Heart disease is a euphemism for many things, including the failure of the heart to work as a muscle or electrieal malfunctions that cause the heart to beat too fast or too slow. But as it relates to Hawaiians, it is a disease of the blood vessels, usually caused by blockage. "The greater the degree of Hawaiian ancestry, the more likely the heart problem," said Dr. Beatriz Rodriguez, an epidemiologist who specializes in cardiovascular research and a past president of the loeal AHA. While that conclusion might seem to indicate a genetic predisposition, Dr. Rodrfguez blames an excess of cardiovascular risk factors present in Hawaiians: Overweight, hypertension, cigarette smoking and especially diabetes. Medical professions agree that more could be done to reduce the presence of these risk factors. "That's the good news," said Dr. Dang, referring to the ability of individual Hawaiians to control these eonelitions. Statistics show many are already controlling their

cholesterol levels rather well. Only 24 percent of Hawaiians have high cholesterol versus 33 percent of the rest of the populahon, although Hawaiian women over 50 tend to have low levels of HDLs (high density lipoproteins), the "good" cholesterol that protects the body from heart disease. far more prevalent as I a risk factor is obesity. Some 43 percent of Hawaiians weigh in at 20 percent more than what is considered ideal for their I height and body build and are therefore considered obese. "Obesity eontributes to diabetes and diabetes is central to heart [

disease," said Dr. Rodriguez. "It also contributes to hypertension." Rates of smoking are also high among Hawaiians, 27 percent of whom report that they smoke cigarettes. "These problems are linked to Westernization," Dr. Rodriguez emphasized. "If you look at pictures of Hawaiians around the time of contact, they are always slim. Traditional Hawaiian foods have low amounts of

faL Poi, for example, is very veiy healthy." Obesity and smoking, she said, ean be controlled with changes in lifestyle that include cutting out cigarettes and nia1ring physical activity part of the day. Hypertension and diabetes ean be controlled through medication, but there is no way other than medical diagnosis to detect these conditions. "They ean develop very early so people ean go on for years with high blood pressure and not know it. " said Dr. Rodriguez. "In many cases, people just suddenly die. From early childhood people must develop health habits that include

yearly physical checkups along with a good diet and physical activity." Along with access to medical care, awareness is the key to improvement To stop the massacre perpetuated by cardiovascular diseases, the American Heart Association has launched a three-year education campaign called "Take Wellness to Heart." This year, its annual Take Wellness to Heart conference scheduled for Sept. 24 at the Ihilani Resort and Spa will focus on the misconception that heart disease is not a major threat to women. "More women than men die from heart disease. Heart disease killed more women last year than breast cancer did in the past 10 years," Dr. Dang explained. When Hawaiian vulnerability is factored into those general statistics, they become even more dramatic. The September conference is geared to women leaders from the loeal ethnic groups most likely to suffer from heart disease: those of Native Hawaiian and Filipino ancestry. Topics to be explored include women's

risks, the role of women in strengthening the ehain of survival, tobacco issues, nuhihon, exercise and honnone replacement therapy

issues. The formal program runs from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Luneh and registration are offered free of charge. Women attending may enjoy a special per night rate good for the entire weekend at the Ihilani Resort and Spa with discounts on spa treatments. For more informahon, or to register, eall Judy Delkeskamp at 5387021. ■

Monitoring blood pressure detects hypertension, the silent klller, before it turns deadly.

HV JS I 1 yy. - v -ffl 1 yvAjtKl ♦* uyl PHOTO COURTESY AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION