Heart Health – 21 January 2010
The first MembersMeet of 2010 was held on 21 January to discuss Heart
Health. Seventy five members attended which was a fantastic turnout!
Professor John Deanfield Professor of Cardiology and Dr Malcolm Walker
Consultant Cardiologist, from UCLH gave a fascinating presentation on Heart
Health. There was a common understanding that risk factors such as
smoking, unhealthy diets and obesity can contribute to narrowing of the
arteries (arthrosclerosis). The benefits of taking care of our heart arteries at a
young age was likened to investing in a retirement pension when you start
work! There is a child directed advertising website which can be found at
http://www.junkmonkeys.tv to demonstrate the dangers of junk food to
children. Malcolm Walker spoke about the work being done in cardiovascular
rehabilitation and how exercise after a heart attack improves the outlook. He
also spoke about the incidence of patients with thalassaemia and the
research being undertaken in these patients who have a higher risk of
developing heart problems. The event also provided an opportunity for
members to put questions to speakers.