Are you at risk? 
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High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

Your heart pumps blood. Blood pressure is the force of blood against your blood vessels as it circulates. This force is necessary to make the blood flow, delivering nutrients and oxygen throughout your body.
 
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, means there is too much pressure in your blood vessels. This can damage your blood vessels and cause health problems. Anyone can develop high blood pressure, but it becomes more common as you get older.

Did you know? 
  • Six million Canadian adults, or one in five, have high blood pressure, representing 19% of the adult population.
  • One in five Canadian adults (20%) have blood pressure readings in the high normal range and are considered pre-hypertensive.

​Risk factors you can
do something about

  • Unhealthy diet
  • Smoking
  • Excessive alcohol
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Obesity
  • Stress
  • Sleep apnea
  • Diabetes
  • Kidney disease

​Risk factors you
​cannot control

  • Age
  • Family History

Heart Disease and Stroke (Cardiovascular Disease)

Cardiovascular disease is a term that refers to more than one disease of the circulatory system including the heart and blood vessels, whether the blood vessels are affecting the lungs, the brain, kidneys or other parts of the body. Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in adult Canadian men and women. 

Did you know?

  • Every 7 minutes in Canada, someone dies from heart disease or stroke.
  • Heart disease and stroke are two of the three leading causes of death in Canada. 

Risk factors you can
do something about

  • High blood pressure (hypertension)
  • High blood cholesterol
  • Diabetes
  • Being overweight
  • Excessive alcohol consumption
  • Physical inactivity
  • Smoking 
  • Stress

Risk factors you
​cannot control

  • Age
  • Gender
  • Family History
  • Ethnicity
  • History of stroke or TIA (transient ischemic attack)

Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic condition that stems from the body's inability to sufficiently produce and/or properly use insulin which the body needs to use sugar as an energy source. Diabetes can lead to serious complications and premature death but those who have diabetes can take steps to control the disease and lower the risk of complications.

Did you know?
  • According to the National Diabetes Surveillance System, 6.6% of the population age 20 and over, have been diagnosed with diabetes.
  • An estimated 2.5 million Canadians have been diagnosed with diabetes in 2010. From 2010 to 2020, another 1.2 million people are expected to be diagnosed with diabetes, bringing the total to about 3.7 million.

Risk factors you can
​do something about

  • Overweight/obesity
  • High blood glucose
  • High blood pressure (hypertension)
  • Abnormal cholesterol levels
  • Physical inactivity
  • Smoking

Risk factors you
​cannot control

  • Age
  • Race & Ethnicity
  • Gender
  • Family History

Signs and symptoms of diabetes can include the following:

  • Unusual thirst
  • Frequent urination
  • Weight change (gain or loss)
  • Extreme fatigue or lack of energy
  • Blurred vision
  • Frequent or recurring infections
  • Cuts and bruises that are slow to heal
  • Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
  • Trouble getting or maintaining an erection

If you have any of these symptoms, it is important to contact your health-care provider right away. Even if you don’t have symptoms, if you are 40 or older, you should still get checked.
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It is important to recognize, however, that many people who have type 2 diabetes may display no symptoms.

Obesity

​Over the past several years, Canada has experienced an alarming increase in obesity rates among adults, children and youth. Obesity (defined as a Body Mass Index or BMI of >30 kg/m2) is an important individual and population health issue, as it is a contributor to a wide variety of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and liver disease, as well as breast, colon and prostate cancer. 

Did you know? 
  • 60%, or over 3 in 5 of Canadian adults are overweight or obese.
  • 67% of Canadian men and 54% of Canadian women are overweight or obese.
  • From 1985 to 2000, 57,000 deaths in Canada were associated with overweight and obesity

Risk factors you can
​do something about

  • Diet
  • Physical inactivity
  • Smoking
  • Uncontrolled psychological issues
  • Uncontrolled medical issues
  • Medications
  • Lack of sleep
  • Family lifestyle
  • Social and economic situation
  • Pregnancy

Risk factors you
​cannot control

  • Genetics
  • Age
  • Gender