What is Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)?
Some Facts...
Every 7 minutes in Canada, someone dies from heart disease or stroke (Statistics Canada, 2011).
In 2008 CVD accounted for (Statistics Canada, 2011):
In 2008, of all cardiovascular deaths (Statistics Canada, 2011)
CVD and stroke costs the Canadian economy more than $20.9 billion every year in physician services, hospital costs, lost wages and decreased productivity (Conference Board of Canada, 2010).
The leading cause of hospitalization in Canada continues to be CVD and stroke, accounting for 16.9 % of total hospitalizations (19.8% of all hospitalizations for men and 14.0% for women) (PHAC, 2009).
9/ 10 Canadians (90%) have at least one risk factor for CVD or stroke (smoking, alcohol, physical inactivity, obesity, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes) (PHAC, 2009).
Controllable Risk Factors: (Heart and Stroke Foundation, 2012).
Uncontrollable Risk Factors: (Heart and Stroke Foundation, 2012)
- An umbrella term for a variety of conditions that affect the structure and functions of the heart, blood vessels (veins and arteries) throughout the heart, body, and within the brain, preventing it from working properly.
- A result of many underlying causes, and impacts an individual's health, functional abilities, and independence.
- For example, coronary artery disease develops when a combination of fatty materials, calcium and scar tissue (called plaque) builds up in the arteries that supply blood to the heart, eventually preventing the heart from getting enough blood and depriving it of vital nutrients and oxygen to survive (Heart and Stroke Foundation, 2014).
- Stroke is the result of a blood flow problem in the brain, and is also considered a form of CVD.
Some Facts...
Every 7 minutes in Canada, someone dies from heart disease or stroke (Statistics Canada, 2011).
In 2008 CVD accounted for (Statistics Canada, 2011):
- 29% of all deaths in Canada (69,703 deaths – or more than 69,500)
- 28% of all male deaths
- 29.7% of all female deaths
In 2008, of all cardiovascular deaths (Statistics Canada, 2011)
- 54% were due to ischemic heart disease
- 20% to stroke
- 23% to heart attack
CVD and stroke costs the Canadian economy more than $20.9 billion every year in physician services, hospital costs, lost wages and decreased productivity (Conference Board of Canada, 2010).
The leading cause of hospitalization in Canada continues to be CVD and stroke, accounting for 16.9 % of total hospitalizations (19.8% of all hospitalizations for men and 14.0% for women) (PHAC, 2009).
9/ 10 Canadians (90%) have at least one risk factor for CVD or stroke (smoking, alcohol, physical inactivity, obesity, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes) (PHAC, 2009).
Controllable Risk Factors: (Heart and Stroke Foundation, 2012).
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- High blood cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Being overweight
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Physical inactivity
- Smoking
- Stress
Uncontrollable Risk Factors: (Heart and Stroke Foundation, 2012)
Cardiovascular Pathology- Heart Disease (Simtics, 2011).
The following video provides a brief overview of heart anatomy and cardiovascular issues.
References
Conference Board of Canada. (2010). The Canadian Heart Health Strategy: Risk Factors and Future Cost Implications Report.
Heart and Stroke Foundation (2012). Heart disease Prevention. Retrieved from http://www.heartandstroke.com/site/c.ikIQLcMWJtE/b.3483919/k.EB14/Heart_disease__Prevention_and_risk_factors.htm
Heart and Stroke Foundation. (2014). What is Heart Disease? Retrieved from http://www.heartandstroke.com/site/c.ikIQLcMWJtE/b.3682421/k.48B2/Heart_disease__What_is_heart_disease.htm
Public Health Agency of Canada. (2009). Tracking Heart Disease and Stroke in Canada, 2009. Retrieved from: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/2009/cvd-avc/pdf/cvd-avs-2009-eng.pdf
Simtics. (2011). Cardiovascular Pathology- Heart Disease. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sqq5OcHhgsA