Heart disease and stroke the impact

Heart Attack Strikes up to 70,000 Canadians each year and killed 20,926 in 1999. Other less sudden forms of coronary heart disease such as angina killed 21,693. Other forms of heart disease such as congestive heart failure and valve and rhythm disorders killed 13,215 Canadians in 1999. Stroke, the fourth leading cause of death among Canadians, is the leading cause of adult neurological disability. There are approximately 50,000 strokes each year, and in 1999 there were 15,409 strokerelated deaths. Other forms of vascular diseases (i.e. other problems with the blood vessels) were responsible for 7,699 deaths in 1999. Leading Causes of Death
Canada Heart disease and stroke Cancer Respiratory disease Accidents, suicide, violence All other causes Totals: 78,942 (36%) 62,769 (29%) 22,026 (10%) 13,996 (6%) 41,797 (19%) 219,530 (100%) Ontario 29,851 (37%) 23,189 (28%) 7,745 (10%) 4,372 (5%) 16,236 (20%) 81,393 (100%)

Poor quality of life for survivors

The Heart and Stroke Foundation Report Card on Heart Attack Survival shows that from 1984, heart attacks in Canada (ages 25-74) fell from 54,600 to 41,400 a 21% decline. But close to half of the survivors have heart-related problems and a high risk of repeat heart attack. The proportion of recurrent, second or even third, heart attack has increased since 1984 by 13% among Canadians under age 75. Cardiac rehabilitation programs may help reduce the risk of recurrent heart attacks, but the Report Card found that only one-third of survivors participate in these programs. Moreover, 39% of survivors rated their health as only fair or poor compared with 9% of people who did not have heart disease and Canadian survivors seem to be doing worse than U.S. heart attack survivors. Less than a third of Canadian survivors (31%) compared to almost half the American survivors (44%) rated their health as better than it had been a month before their heart attacks. Heart and Stroke Foundations Report Card on Heart Attack Survival Heart Attack Indicator
# of deaths % of hospitalized patients who survive Canadians 25-74 years: Total # of heart attacks Proportion of recurrent heart attacks Treatment Indicators

Stress a serious threat

In 2001, the Heart and Stroke Foundation found that 57% of Canadians felt frequently overwhelmed by stress. People who feel frequent or severe stress tend to make poor lifestyle choices, increasing their risk of heart disease and stroke. Canadians who report frequent stress are more likely to be smokers (36% vs. 27%) and to report eating fast foods three or more times a week (16% vs. 8%). Heart and Stroke Foundations Report Card on Canadians and Stress Percent of Canadians Who
Frequently feel stressed by work by family responsibilities by family finances any or all of the above Lack time for family friends or partner things would like to do any or all of the above When under stress, would be very/somewhat likely to eat comfort foods smoke a cigarette have an alcoholic drink watch more TV any or all of the above

Tobacco the truth hurts

Heart and Stroke Foundations recent AntiTobacco TV advertising campaign, created in care of the government, delivers the message that its not just the smokers life that is affected by tobacco. There are devastating social and health consequences for all. The message is being heard. An incredible 85% of Ontarians are aware of the campaign and 93% of them say the message is believable.
The Facts
Within the last 5 years, 25% of Canadians who used to smoke have quit. However, 23% aged 15 and over are currently smoking; thats almost six million Canadians (25 % of men and 21 % of women).

Men
27% 21% 20% 41% 28% 23% 38% 54%

Women
33% 29% 21% 45% 26% 22% 36% 52%

Children and Youth

25% of Canadian children under the age of 12 are regularly exposed to tobacco smoke in the home. Among Canadian teens (15-19) the smoking rate is 23 % slightly lower than in the early 1990s. 80% of smokers aged 15-17 say they tried smoking by age 14. 90% of adult smokers started before the age of 19. About 1 in 5 pregnant women smoke a serious risk for the fetus.

1984
27,656 78% 54,600 32% 1990-3 23% 73%

1997
21,962 86% 41,400 36% 1995-7 59% 54%

CVD Deaths in Canada by Gender

Males
Coronary artery disease 23,617 (59%)

Diseases of the blood vessels 3,667 (9%) Other forms of heart disease 6,371 (16%)

31% 29% 39% 46% 75%

49% 26% 25% 39% 73%

Mortality
In Ontario, tobacco kills 12,000 people each year, four times more deaths than motor vehicle accidents, suicide, homicide and AIDS combined. Tobacco will kill over 45,000 Canadians this year at least 1,000 will be non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke.

Stroke 6,153 (16%)

Females
Diseases of the blood vessels 4,032 (10%) Other forms of heart disease 7,062 (18%)
Stats Canada 1999 (most recent data available)

Patients who receive clot-busting drugs within 1 hour Patients whose ischemia has improved

A stress evaluation test including tips for dealing with stress are available at www.heartandstroke.ca or call 1-888-HSF-INFO

Cost
Tobacco-related health care expenditures exceed $1.1 billion annually in Ontario, $9.5 billion annually in Canada.

Coronary artery disease 19,002 (49%)

Stroke 9,038 (23%)

Resources are available to support heart attack survivors and their families at www.heartandstroke.ca

Want to quit smoking? Call the Smokers Helpline at 1-877-513-5333 or log onto www.heartandstroke.ca for smoking cessation tips

Tweens on path to poor heart health

The current lifestyle of tweens kids aged 9 to 12 could put them in the fast lane for developing heart disease and stroke as early as their 30s, according to the most recent Heart and Stroke Foundation Report Card on Canadians Health, released in 2002. Five hundred tweens and their parents were interviewed and although children are surprisingly well-informed about healthy lifestyles, they find it difficult to put that information to use. Topic
Physical Activity

Stroke warning signs

Each year, over 50,000 Canadians have a stroke. In 1998 alone, there were 15,634 stroke-related deaths. Stroke survival presents issues relating to rehabilitation, and places a great deal of stress on Canadian families. One Canadian who has survived stroke and has been through rehabilation is Walter Gretzky, father of Wayne Gretzky. Now, Walter is devoting his life to helping others as a spokesperson for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Here are the stroke warning signs that Walter and the Foundation want you to know:
Weakness Sudden weakness, numbness or tingling in the face, arm or leg. Trouble Speaking Sudden temporary loss of speech or trouble understanding speech. Vision Problems Sudden loss of vision, particularly in one eye, or double vision. Headache Sudden severe and unusual headache.

Heart and Stroke Foundation

Ontario office locations

ONTARIO WEST: Chatham Tel: (519) 354-6232 London Tel: (519) 679-0641 Owen Sound Tel: (519) 371-0083 Sarnia Tel: (519) 332-1415 Stratford Tel: (519) 273-5212 Windsor Tel: (519) 254-4345 CENTRAL WEST: Brampton Tel: (905) 451-0021 Brantford Tel: (519) 752-1301 Halton Region Tel: (905) 634-7732 Hamilton Tel: (905) 574-4105 Guelph Tel: (519) 837-4858 Kitchener Tel: (519) 571-9600 Mississauga Tel: (905) 897-0366 Niagara District Tel: (905) 938-8800 ONTARIO NORTH: Barrie Tel: (705) 737-1020 North Bay Tel: (705) 476-6196 Peterborough Tel: (705) 749-1044 Sault Ste. Marie Tel: (705) 253-3775 Sudbury Tel: (705) 673-2228 Thunder Bay Tel: (807) 623-1118 Timmins Tel: (705) 267-4645 CENTRAL ONTARIO: Durham West Tel: (905) 686-1521 Etobicoke Tel: (416) 622-9606 Newmarket Tel: (905) 853-6355 North York Tel: (416) 499-1417 Durham East Tel: (905) 571-1582 Scarborough Tel: (416) 285-7333 Toronto Tel: (416) 489-7100 York Region South Tel: (905) 709-4899 ONTARIO EAST: Belleville Tel: (613) 962-2502 Brockville Tel: (613) 345-6183 Cornwall Tel: (613) 938-8933 Kingston Tel: (613) 384-2871 Ottawa West Tel: (613) 727-5060 Ottawa East Tel: (613) 737-0651 OTHER CONTACTS: Chinese Canadian Council Tel: (416) 489-6007 South Asian Community Council Tel: (416) 489-7111 ext 365

Heart & Stroke

Just the facts

2002/2003 edition
Rehab 2/3s of survivors missing out Tweens on path to poor health Over 50% of population stressed 70,000 new heart attacks

Daily Recommendation
Children (and adults) should be active for at least 30 minutes most days of the week

Childrens Knowledge
95% know that walking or riding a bicycle is good for the heart; 55% know that running until you get hot and sweaty is good for the heart 98% know that fruit and vegetables are good for the heart

Children Report
56%* have played hard, to the point of getting hot or sweaty

Diet

5 to 10 servings of fruit and vegetables

14%* have had 4 or more servings of fruit, vegetables, or pure fruit or vegetable juice 67% have not been exposed to secondhand smoke within past 3 days

Dizziness Sudden loss of balance, especially with any of the above signs. Sudden onset of these symptoms means you must call 911 or your medical emergency number immediately.

SecondHand Smoke

No exposure is safe

82% know that secondhand smoke harms young children

As part of the Foundations campaign to increase awareness of stroke, Walters new book, Walter Gretzky: On Family, Hockey and Healing, is available in bookstores everywhere.

*Children were asked to report on their behaviour during the day of the interview to maximize accuracy of recall

To find more information on stroke, visit www.heartandstroke.ca or call toll-free 1-888-HSF-INFO

To help Canadian families make healthy lifestyle changes, the Heart and Stroke Foundation has a free resource, the HeartSmart Family Fun Pack, that is available by calling 1-888-HSF-INFO

Heart & Stroke Health Information Service 1-888-HSF-INFO (1-888-473-4636) www.heartandstroke.ca