Risk Factors

Heart disease and stroke remain the #1 cause of death in BC. Eight in 10 Canadians (80%) have at least one risk factor for heart disease or stroke, including smoking, lack of physical activity, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes (2003, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada).

  • 30% have two risk factors or more
  • 10% have three or more risk factors

 

The number of people at risk for cardiovascular disease in BC is so great that heart health education and promotion needs to be encouraged. Fortunately, heart disease can be prevented and in some cases reversed. 

What is a risk factor?

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of developing a disease. For example, smoking increases your chances of developing cardiovascular disease, therefore smoking is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Some risk factors are unavoidable, while others can be reduced with lifestyle choices.
 

Man hiking

Did you know?

In BC, cardiovascular disease costs $820 million annually in direct health expenses (2003 Canadian Association of Cardiac Rehabilitation).
 
 

 

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