Preventing stroke and heart disease starts with knowing your personal risk.
In Canada, 9 out of 10 people have at least one risk factor for stroke or heart disease, yet nearly 80% of early strokes and heart disease cases can be prevented through healthy lifestyle choices.
Things that put you at risk for stroke include:
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Unhealthy diet
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Not exercising enough
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Smoking tobacco
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Drinking too much alcohol
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Recreational drug use
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Stress
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Birth control and Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
What can you do? Simple actions such as eating well, staying physically active, and avoiding smoking, can make a significant difference in protecting your long‑term health.
Health conditions that are risk factors:
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High blood pressure
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Diabetes
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Atrial fibrillation
What can you do? Attend all recommended preventative care appointments to closely monitor your ongoing health conditions. Take your medications exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider to help reduce your risk of stroke.
Risk factors you cannot control:
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Age - the older you are, the higher your risk of stroke.
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Sex - your risk increases after menopause.
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Family and medical history - if you have a close relative who has experienced a stroke or TIA (mini-stroke) at an early age, you are at increased risk.
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Heritage - People of Indigenous heritage, African or South Asian heritage have a higher risk of stroke.
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Personal circumstances - things like access to healthy food, safe drinking water, health services and social services have an influence on your health.
Heart and Stroke Risk Screen
