Cardiovascular Disease in Canada

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Canada; causing 37 percent of all deaths. But where you live in Canada could determine your risk of death from heart disease. Here are some reasons why.

1. Variations in cardiac healthcare with those in rural areas being more disadvantaged.
2. British Columbia has lower rates of cardiovascular mortality than the national average because of anti-smoking legislation and cigarette prices.
3. Atlantic Canada has more people with obesity, smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, and a sedentary lifestyle.
4. Poorer regions with high unemployment and lower educational levels had higher incidence of cardiovascular disease risk factors.

To address these geographic differences, the Canadian Cardiovascular Outcomes Research Team recommends:

• The implementation of a national cardiovascular surveillance system
• Funding to improve the quality and quantity of clinical databases to study trends in healthcare
• Ensure that all Canadians have similar levels of access to treatment

For U.S. geographic trends in heart disease, check out the NCHS Atlas of United States Mortality (pdf). Death from heart disease is clearly more common in the Deep South and lowest in the Rocky Mountain States.

CTV.ca, July 5, 2006