Summary
A new free online tool from Heart & Stroke lets Canadians assess their individual risks for heart disease and stroke by combining medical, lifestyle, and personal data. Although nearly 70 % are concerned about these risks, many don’t know their own cholesterol, blood sugar, or evolving risk factors—especially women. The Risk Screen offers tailored feedback and ongoing support to prompt lifestyle changes. Experts note much of premature heart disease and stroke is preventable.
For 46-year-old Adria Scarano, the warning signs feel personal. As she moves through perimenopause, she knows her risk for heart disease and stroke is climbing. That knowledge has become a daily motivator: “As you get older you have to work even harder to stay healthy,” she says. “Now that I’m in perimenopause, I know I need to be active more often. I’m also trying to increase vegetables in my diet and drink more water.”
Adria’s story reflects a reality many Canadians face: concern about heart and brain health, paired with a strong desire to do better. A new national poll from Heart & Stroke shows that nearly seven in 10 Canadians are worried about their risks for heart disease and stroke and women are even more concerned than men.
A Silent Threat
Despite that concern, awareness is strikingly low. The poll found that only half of Canadians know their own risk factors, and more than half don’t know their cholesterol or blood sugar levels. Heart & Stroke notes that nine in 10 Canadians have at least one risk factor, whether it’s high blood pressure, diabetes, or lifestyle habits like inactivity or poor diet.
For women, the stakes are especially high. Heart disease and stroke are the leading cause of premature death among women in Canada. Yet only four in 10 women are certain that their risk changes at different life stages, from pregnancy to menopause.
“Women’s risks are different, and they evolve over time,” says Dr. Christine Faubert, Vice President of Health Equity and Mission Impact at Heart & Stroke. “Too often, women aren’t aware of those changes until it’s too late.”
Heart and Stroke Risk Screening Tool
The good news: most Canadians don’t just want to worry, they want to act. Nearly nine in 10 say they’re motivated to make lifestyle changes such as improving their diet, getting more exercise, managing stress, or cutting back on alcohol.
That’s where Heart & Stroke’s new Risk Screen tool comes in. Free and easy to use, the online questionnaire creates a personal health profile, highlighting risks that can be managed and offering a tailored action plan. It also provides ongoing follow-up resources to help people stay on track.
Dr. Kara Nerenberg, a women’s heart and brain health researcher at the University of Calgary, says the tool is groundbreaking. “Although other good tools exist, I don’t know of one quite like this. It’s specifically focused on heart and brain health and considers the full picture – medical, lifestyle, and personal factors”, she explained.
A Shared Motivation
For Adria, awareness of her increased risk hasn’t sparked fear, it’s sparked commitment. Her story is echoed in the poll results: more than three in 10 Canadians describe themselves as very motivated to make changes.
“As much as 80% of premature heart disease and stroke can be prevented,” Dr. Faubert said. “Canadians want to protect their health. Our job is to give them the tools and information they need to succeed.”
The message is clear: while the risks are real, so is Canadians’ determination to take charge of their health. And with new resources like the Risk Screen, more people may find the guidance they need to turn concern into lasting change.
~ Read more from The Health Insider ~
- Beyond the Cane: The 5 Top Mobility Devices for Independence and Faster Rehab
Tired of tripping? Discover the 5 essential devices that help retrain your stride—from high-tech AFOs to stable rollators. - Canadian Cancer Clinical Trials Database Launched for Doctors and PatientsSummaryA new national database, Cancer Trials Canada, has been launched by the Canadian Cancer Society and Q-CROC to give both patients and physicians easy access to every adult cancer clinical trial in Canada. The platform replaces the increasingly unreliable U.S. registry and offers verified, regularly updated listings filtered by cancer type, stage, and eligibility. Designed…
- A New Fit for Health: The Smart Bra Aiming to Revolutionize Breast Cancer DetectionMeet Dr. Van Houten’s smart bra: a low-cost, comfortable, no-x-ray system that detects cancer by monitoring breast tissue movement and stiffness.
- Eat Your Way to a Healthier Heart with a Metabolic CoachFrom balancing blood sugar to reducing inflammation, Certified Metabolic Coaches help you use food as medicine for your heart and overall wellbeing.
- What to Do if You’re Experiencing Hearing Loss in Canada: A Step-by-Step Patient Resource GuideOur guide to hearing care in Canada. Get a province-by-province breakdown of government funding programs for hearing aids for seniors and all residents.
- Diabetes and Vision: Why Early and Regular Eye Exams Can Save Your SightA new survey finds most Canadians unaware that diabetes can damage vision. Early diagnosis could prevent up to 90% of sight loss.
The information provided on TheHealthInsider.ca is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. TheHealthInsider.ca advises consulting a medical professional or healthcare provider when seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. To read about our editorial review process click here.
