Breaking the cycle of bad health

“I’m not reinventing the wheel; I’m just making the ones we have turn,” says Dr. Nicholas Giacomantonio.

And that’s exactly what the Dal cardiologist does, turning wheels across the province as he encourages Nova Scotians to hop on bicycles and learn about heart health during his annual HeartLand Tour.

This year, he led the sixth HeartLand Tour, cycling almost 1,000 kilometres in nine days to raise awareness about the increase of cardiac health risk factors. Heart disease presents a growing financial burden to health care.

“Especially in Nova Scotia, where there are higher risk factors like high blood pressure and obesity,” says Dr. Giacomantonio, who is an associate professor of medicine at Dal.

With these risk factors occurring at a younger age with each generation, Dr. Giacomantonio decided to start the HeartLand campaign in 2007 as a way to encourage lifestyle change.

Unity in community

What sets the HeartLand Tour apart from other health-related organizations is that it's not a fundraiser. All costs are offset by business sponsorship and donations, and the tour’s mission is to educate and engage the public.

“I don’t ask people for money; I ask people to change,” says Dr. Giacomantonio.

Due to the lack of health programming in rural communities, Dr. Giacomantonio takes his message on the road. He and his core team of riders visit eight communities on every tour, involving family doctors, community leaders, mentors and teachers from each region.

Dr. Giacomantonio at the HeartLand tour's final stop. (Katherine Wooler photo)

“We’re celebrating community on a provincial level,” he says.

This year, community interest gave cause for celebration: over 2,000 people participated in the tour province-wide.

Fourth-year medical student and HeartLand cyclist Emily Wilson says that Dr. Giacomantonio’s passion for community well-being is apparent in his class lectures.

“He talks about how important it is for physicians to be role models and advocate healthy living.”

Learning the factors

The 2012 HeartLand Tour finished on July 15, making Halifax the final stop and offering cycling excursions to and from Peggy’s Cove, trail rides and a family ride throughout the city.

On the Halifax Commons, amongst the colourful tents, free yoga lessons and first-ever HeartLand nutrition booth, was a special red tent where third-year Dalhousie med student Aniket Hooda conducted atrial fibrillation (AF) research.

Cycling participants as well as the general public were able to receive free heart risk assessments by completing questionnaires and undergoing two simple medical tests.

“AF is an increasingly common rhythm disturbance of the heart, and greatly increases an individual’s risk of stroke,” explains Mr. Hooda.

Dr. Giacomantonio and Mr. Hooda will be returning to the eight communities September and October, setting up shop in pharmacies and local businesses in order to gather more data from the general population. They will compile statistics on the prevalence of AF risk factors such as high blood pressure, obesity, heart murmurs and heart failure.

Students of advocacy

Besides offering financial support for the HeartLand tour, Dalhousie also supplied prizes for the event, and, most importantly, members of the Dal community supplied their time and leg power.

Medical and graduate students rode on the core team, with more joining in for the Halifax rides. Dr. Carman Giacomantonio of the Department of Surgery cycled on the core team, while Dean Tom Marrie attended events in three communities, and Preston Smith, associate dean of regional and rural medical education, spoke to the Halifax crowd.

Ashley Ward, a graduate student in Dalhousie’s public administration program, is the executive director for this year’s HeartLand Tour. She has been cycling for the past five years, but admits that she still finds herself at the back of the pack sometimes.

Executive Director Ashley Ward with Jake Blecklaws, Michael Gniewek and Karen Filbee-Dexter. (Katherine Wooler photo)

Ms. Ward has found many of the core team members inspirational, saying that they always made sure that she crossed the finish line.

“The core team is a diverse team, not an elite one,” explains Dr. Giacomantonio.

All in the family

Dr. Giacomantonio has developed a new program to further promote disease prevention at the family level. Starting this year, families will have until October 30 to apply for one-on-one consultation with exercise and nutrition specialists.

Doctors and community leaders will help select one family from each community on the HeartLand tour, notifying the winner in December. Parents and children will be able to set physical activity and nutrition goals and then celebrate their achievements in July 2013, with successful families receiving a reward of five new bikes.

“My favourite reactions,” says Dr. Giacomantonio, “are smiles, belief that together we can make a difference and people saying that they’re looking forward to next year.”