Healthy Daily Living (HDL)

Heart Niagara facilitates health services, education and training to community, schools, and workplaces and for families. Cardiovascular disease is currently the leading cause of death among Canadians. The incidence of heart disease continues to rise in Niagara and emphasis is being placed on risk factors and healthier choices. Heart Niagara is providing strategies in the fight against cardiovascular disease. The HDL Program is designed to help people prevent and reduce their future risk of heart disease. To accomplish risk reduction the Program is a focused approach to educate individuals and provide interventions to improve their good cholesterol HDL which significantly improves their well being.

Program Includes:

• Vascular risk scoring
• Nutritional counselling
• Exercise recommendations
• Smoke cessation support

Heart Niagara also provides quit smoking assistance. Please call 905-358-5552 ext 111 for further information.

After the assessment, Heart Niagara offers clients a 4 week supported risk reduction services. Risk is reviewed at the end of the program. Cost: $125.00

MYTH	FACT
Nicotine is the harmful substance in cigarettes.	It is not nicotine, but the thousands of other chemicals in cigarette smoke that are responsible for most tobacco-caused diseases.
Addiction to nicotine is the same if it comes from nicotine gum, the patch, or cigarettes.	Cigarettes are far more addictive than nicotine gum or the patch because nicotine reaches the brain much faster through inhaling it.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is dangerous for smokers.	NRT is safe for smokers.
Smoking while on the patch increases the risk of a heart attack.	Having a cigarette while using the patch does not increase the smoker’s risk for a heart attack, however, it is not advisable to smoke while on the patch.
Patients with heart disease should not use the nicotine patch or gum.	It is far more dangerous for patients with heart disease to continue to smoke than to use NRT
The nicotine patch, gum, or inhaler should not be used at the same time as smoking medication.	The nicotine patch, gum or inhaler may be used at the same time as smoking medication. In fact, some studies show improved effectiveness when used in combination.
The nicotine patch, gum or inhaler should only be taken in recommended doses.	Smokers should be in control of how they use the nicotine patch or gum and should vary the dose according to their own needs. Like smoking, it takes time to learn how best to use the nicotine patch or gum to benefit from it.