鈴 2 min read, 3 min video
Did you know that nine in ten people in Canada have at least one risk factor for heart disease or stroke? These conditions remain leading causes of death and disability, yet many of us are unaware of our personal risk or what we can do about it.
To help Canadians better understand and manage their heart and brain health, the Heart & Stroke Foundation has launched a new, evidence-based tool: the . This easy online assessment takes about 7 minutes to complete and provides a personalized risk profile and a customized action plan based on your unique health history, lifestyle, and life stage.
Why risk screening matters
Heart disease and stroke can affect anyone, but the risk factors vary widely from person to person. Common contributors include high blood pressure, smoking, poor diet, physical inactivity, and stress. However, your age, sex, medical history, and even life events, like pregnancy or menopause for women, can also play a significant role in shaping your risk.
The Heart & Stroke goes beyond generic advice. It considers:
- Lifestyle behaviours such as diet, exercise, and alcohol use
- Medical history, including conditions like diabetes or high cholesterol
- Sex and age, which influence how risk factors present and progress
- Life events specific to women, such as pregnancy and menopause, which can increase vulnerability to heart and brain conditions
This tailored approach ensures that both men and women receive relevant, actionable insights to guide their health decisions.
What you'll get
After completing the , you’ll receive:
- A personalized risk profile outlining your current heart and brain health status
- A customized action plan with practical recommendations to reduce or manage your risks
- Access to a suite of resources to support ongoing education and lifestyle changes
- Guidance to help you have meaningful conversations with your healthcare provider
Understanding stroke
Stroke is a major health event that occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted, and it can affect people in different ways. In this 3-minute video, Dr. Ada Tang, Assistant Dean of Rehabilitation Science, explains what you need to know about stroke. Learn to recognize the signs of stroke when it’s happening because “time is brain”.
Download a transcript of this video.
Ready to assess your personal risk factors?
Visit the Heart & Stroke Foundation’s website to complete the . It’s free, confidential, and designed to help you live a longer, healthier life.
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