In spite of improvements in heart attack mortality, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, which funds 60 % of the heart and stroke research in Canada has uncovered some startling regional disparities that indicate where you live can affect your vulnerability to heart attack and death. The Foundation is currently researching Ontario Hot Spots, "geographic areas showing higher rates of mortality and morbidity than others across the province." These Hot Spots include the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, the southwestern counties of Bruce, Elgin and Essex, the Haldimand-Norfolk Regional Municipality, Sudbury Regional Municipality and Thunder Bay District.

Initial research revealed that, for instance, in Haldimand-Norfolk Regional Municipality, which has a population of 107,840, during 1997 mortality rates were significantly higher (326 versus 215/100,000) than the rest of Ontario. The seriousness of this geographical disparity is particularly evident when figures are compared to the Ottawa-Carleton Regional Municipality: Ottawa had a heart attack rate almost half that of Haldimand-Norfolk, and death rate of 196 versus 326/100,000 population.

The Foundation reports that striking urban-rural discrepancies in heart disease distribution are attributable in part to traditional risk factors, many of which are modifiable. The Ontario Health Survey shows that Ontario's northern and rural areas have more smokers, more obese and sedentary people and more individuals who eat a high-fat diet as compared to urban areas. Socioeconomic and environmental factors seem also to contribute to the higher incidence in these area. Although the Foundation sees the necessity for further research, it feels stepped up health promotion and clinical prevention strategies will help reduce currently recognized risk factors.

Every year, homeowners succumb to heart attacks while shoveling snow or undertaking a strenuous gardening or home renovation project. Quick action on the home front will improve the heart attack victims chances of survival:

Make your home a safe place to be by making sure everyone knows what to do in a health emergency, particularly a heart attack. Every minute that passes reduces the chances of heart attack survival by 7 to10 percent so confident action can save a life -- perhaps yours.