Every seven minutes, a Canadian dies of heart attack or stroke, but education can help in the fight against cardiovascular disease. An evening of informal discussion on the topic, sponsored by the UWindsor Faculty of Science, is the latest front in the war.

“Preventing Cardiovascular Disease: Lifestyle modification, drug intervention or genetic determination?” will bring together members of the science and medical communities to speak with the public on Monday, June 16, at Il Gabbiano Ristorante.

UWindsor biochemistry professor Michael Boffa says fighting cardiovascular disease requires a three-pronged approach.

“Ultimately, lifestyle, medication and genetics all have a role to play,” he says.

Dr. Boffa will join endocrinologist Tyceer Abouhassan, dean of nursing Linda Patrick, and McMaster University geneticist Guillaume Pare on a panel moderated by dean of science Marlys Koschinsky. Each expert will address an area of specialty, from the nature of health statistics to ethical issues surrounding treatments to the role of the physician-patient relationship.

“The evening will take the form of a mock patient posing questions to each of us in turn,” Boffa says. “There will also be plenty of opportunity for the audience members to ask questions and get involved in the discussion. We hope it will be fun as well as educational.”

The event begins with a serving of hors d’oeuvres at 6 p.m. and the program beginning at 6:30 p.m. Although admission is free and open to the public, space is limited. Attendees must register in advance at www.uwincafescientifique.ca/register. Il Gabbiano is located in Windsor’s Little Italy, at 875 Erie Street East.