Heart & Stroke has released a new report offering a clear picture of the growing risks to heart and brain health in Canada.
Titled By the numbers: the state of risk factors for heart disease and stroke in Canada, the report highlights how medical, lifestyle and non-modifiable factors continue to shape health outcomes nationwide. While smoking rates and death rates have declined, other issues like high blood pressure, poor diet and inactivity remain stubbornly high.
“Nine in 10 people in Canada have at least one key modifiable risk factor,” says Doug Roth, CEO of Heart & Stroke. “The good news is that almost 80% of premature heart disease and stroke can be prevented by making healthy lifestyle changes.”
Concerning lifestyle trends
While adult smoking rates have fallen to 11 per cent, vaping is on the rise among youth, with one in four Grade 12 students using e-cigarettes. Just half of adults meet weekly physical activity recommendations, and children and teens fall short of daily guidelines.
Fruit and vegetable consumption has also declined, with nearly eight in 10 people in Canada not reaching the recommended five servings a day. Stress levels have remained high, with one in four adults feeling extremely or quite a bit stressed most days.
Small, sustainable changes can lead to big heart health wins
For Jaclyn Ginter, a registered dietitian with the My Health team in the Morden and Winkler area, the new Heart & Stroke report reinforces what she sees every day in clinic: heart risk is often silent and more common than people think.
“High blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar – these don’t usually come with symptoms,” she says.
Ginter encourages people to make realistic and achievable changes. “Ultra-processed foods are part of life, especially for busy families. But small adjustments can make meals healthier, such as adding canned beans to pasta dishes or pairing prepared foods with vegetables.”
She sees this statistic as an opportunity for people to take action on their health. “It’s not about failure – it’s about opportunity. Small shifts, done consistently, can really add up.”
She emphasizes the importance of knowing key health indicators, including blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar, as well as understanding family history. . “That gives us a clearer picture and allows us to prevent problems, not just react to them.”
Even in rural communities and through winter, movement matters. “It doesn’t have to be complicated. A walk around the Meridian Exhibition Centre track is free and keeps your heart muscle working,” says Ginter.
Empowering people in Canada to take charge
More than 8.2 million people in Canada have high blood pressure, the leading risk for stroke. High cholesterol affects over one in four adults, and diabetes now impacts nearly 4 million people – three times more than in 2000.
The report calls for increased screening, especially for women, Indigenous peoples and racialized groups who face higher risks and barriers to care. It also highlights the importance of understanding and addressing non-modifiable risk factors such as genetics and socioeconomic conditions.
For individuals, tools like the Heart & Stroke Risk Screen can provide insights and a path forward. To assess your personal risk, visit heartandstroke.ca.
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