More than six million Canadians are now living with heart disease or stroke, according to a new national report released by Heart & Stroke.
The report, titled By the numbers: The state of risk factors for heart disease and stroke in Canada, shows that nine in 10 Canadians have at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
These include lifestyle factors such as diet, physical activity, smoking, stress and sleep, as well as medical conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Heart & Stroke CEO Doug Roth says while progress has been made, the data shows many risks are increasing.
High blood pressure now affects more than 8.2 million Canadian adults, more than one in four adults has high cholesterol, and nearly four million Canadians are living with diabetes.
The report also highlights that although death rates from heart disease and stroke have dropped by more than 80 per cent over the past 70 years, prevention remains critical.
Heart & Stroke says nearly 80 per cent of premature heart disease and stroke could be prevented through healthy lifestyle choices and better management of risk factors, and is urging individuals, healthcare providers and governments to take stronger action.