Canadians favour more heart disease and stroke research

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A new poll finds 99% of Canadians believe there should be more research into heart disease and stroke causes, diagnosis, treatment and care.

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A poll conducted by the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada found six in 10 Canadians have either suffered themselves or had a close family member or friend experience heart disease or stroke – and only two in 10 were aware the death rate from heart disease and stroke has significantly decreased by 75% over the past 70 years.

Still, Heart & Stroke says both heart disease and stroke remain the second leading cause of death in Canada and more than 3.5 million people across the country are living with them.

“There has been incredible progress over the past several decades thanks to research, advocacy, systems change and public awareness” Doug Roth, CEO of the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, said in a statement.

“Smoking rates have decreased dramatically from 50% in the 1960s to currently about 12%. More and better medications are available to treat risk factors and conditions. Groundbreaking procedures such as open-heart surgery and endovascular thrombectomy for strokes are saving lives and improving outcomes.”

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Heart & Stroke says high cholesterol is one of the major controllable medical risk factors for heart disease and stroke, and it affects more than one-quarter of Canadian adults.

According to a Heart & Stroke analysis from1990–2019, the death rate from heart disease caused by high cholesterol decreased by 34% due to research, medication, clinical practice guidelines and public policy that supports healthy behaviours.

Meanwhile, Heart & Stroke says high blood pressure is the number one medical risk factor for stroke and a major risk factor for heart disease, affecting about eight million Canadians.

However, management and treatment options have also improved over the past 70 years, including medications. But despite this, treatment and control of high blood pressure has decreased in recent years, especially for women.

The top three areas that Canadians indicated in the study as priorities going forward were managing risk factors, better access to healthcare and better treatment for heart disease and stroke.

The online poll of 2,005 Canadian residents 18 years and older was carried out June 25-July 9 by Environics Research Group.

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