Local Voices, lifesaving lessons: Brandon couple reflects on heart attack journey during Heart Month – DiscoverWestman.com
February is Heart Month, a time for Manitobans to consider their heart and brain health. A Brandon area couple, Nancy McPherson and Dennis Mauthe, are now advocates for the Heart & Stroke Foundation after Dennis experienced a heart attack eleven years ago. Their story highlights the importance of awareness, research, and supportive government policies related to heart disease and stroke.
Understanding the Risks
Key Findings from Recent Reports
The Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada emphasizes managing modifiable risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Notably, 9 in 10 Manitobans have at least one such risk factor.
Lifestyle Risk Factors
- Adult smoking rates have significantly decreased, from 50% in 1965 to 11% in 2024, but smoking remains a leading cause of preventable death, claiming 46,000 Canadian lives annually.
- More than one in four grade 12 students vape.
- Only about half of adults meet weekly physical activity recommendations, with even fewer children and youth meeting their daily requirements.
- Fruit and vegetable consumption has been declining since 2015, with nearly eight in ten adults and youth consuming fewer than five servings daily.
- Almost eight in 10 Canadians report meeting daily sleep recommendations.
- Nearly one in four adults report experiencing significant stress on most days.
Medical Risk Factors
- The number of Canadian adults with high blood pressure has increased yearly since 2000, now exceeding 8.2 million. High blood pressure is a major risk for both stroke and heart disease.
- More than one in four Canadian adults have high cholesterol.
- Over 3.9 million Canadians of all ages live with diabetes – a figure more than three times higher than in 2000.
Non-Modifiable Risk Factors
- Genetics play a substantial role in an individual’s cardiovascular risk.
- Age is a risk factor, with risk increasing as individuals get older.
- Women face unique risk factors at different life stages, including during and after reproductive years and menopause.
- Indigenous peoples in Canada experience wider disparities in health outcomes, including a higher risk of heart disease and stroke, due to the effects of settler colonialism.
- Some racialized groups, including Black Canadians and those of South Asian descent, face a greater burden of heart disease and stroke risk.
A Personal Story and the Importance of Research
Dennis Mauthe underwent heart surgery at St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg eleven years ago after experiencing a heart attack. A year ago, he received a second stent after a blockage was discovered during a routine check-up. Nancy McPherson, a retired nurse with 46 years of experience, and Dennis are now strong advocates for the Heart & Stroke Foundation.
McPherson emphasizes the critical need for government funding of research conducted by organizations like the Heart & Stroke Foundation. She notes the significant advancements in cardiac care over her career, attributing them to research-driven medical and surgical interventions. She stated that stenting interventions are more cost-effective than cardiac bypass surgery.
Looking Ahead
According to McPherson, the recent Heart & Stroke report indicates Canadians are improving in some areas, like smoking rates, but lagging in others, such as vaping and nutrition. She also noted that Dennis’s healthy lifestyle did not prevent his heart attack, emphasizing the role of genetics. However, she stressed that healthy habits remain important, even with genetic predispositions.
Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) offers a regional Heart Program providing education, support, and encouragement to clients following a cardiac event or diagnosis. The program includes one-on-one education and group classes held every Tuesday from 1:30–3:00 p.m., available in-person in Brandon or virtually. The 2026 Mega Heart Event will be held on February 22, 2026, in Winnipeg.
PMH encourages individuals to take steps toward better heart health this February, such as using the online Risk Screen tool or incorporating a walk into their weekly routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of Manitobans have at least one modifiable risk factor for heart disease and stroke?
9 in 10 Manitobans have at least one key modifiable risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
How has the number of Canadians living with diabetes changed since 2000?
More than 3.9 million Canadians (all ages) are living with diabetes – more than three times the amount since 2000.
What is the focus of the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada this year?
This year, the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada is emphasizing the importance of recognising and managing modifiable risk factors for heart disease and stroke.
Considering the interplay between lifestyle, genetics, and access to care, what small step will you take this Heart Month to prioritize your cardiovascular health?