Heart disease, stroke and related conditions take one life every five minutes in Canada. An estimated 3.5 million more are living with the effects of these diseases, and 9 in 10 Canadians have at least one risk factor. Additionally, Canada’s population is aging, and sedentary lifestyles are on the rise — making the need to beat heart disease and stroke even more dire. This is why we need your support.
Heart & Stroke drives life-saving medical breakthroughs, advocates for better health and brings together the brightest minds to improve diagnosis, care and support. Since our inception more than 70 years ago, we’ve seen the death rate from heart disease and stroke decline by 75%. Some of our key priorities include:
- Improving cardiac arrest survival rates: The odds of surviving an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest are just 10%. Taking immediate action by bystanders is critical for survival. Heart & Stroke is working to improve survival rates by training Canadians in CPR and AED use through a vast instructor network, and by raising awareness about the signs of cardiac arrest and the urgency for immediate action to save lives. As tireless advocates, we fight for increased AED placement in public spaces (like skating rinks and office buildings) across Canada.
- Transforming the stroke system and care: In an instant, stroke can devastate families. It’s a leading cause of death, and 60% of people who survive are left with some disability. We are the stroke authority in Canada, working to raise awareness of the FAST signs of stroke, fueling medical discoveries, and providing evidence-based healthcare guidelines to deliver world-class stroke care.
- Closing the gaps in health inequity: Some communities in Canada bear a disproportionate burden of disease and risk for heart and brain conditions, including women, Indigenous people and Black communities. By forging partnerships and working within equity-deserving groups, Heart & Stroke is leading the charge to beat health inequity with targeted research programs, building awareness and enabling the healthcare system. Our work for women is just one example.
- Fight for healthier generations: Heart & Stroke has fought hard for smoke-free spaces, the removal of heart-clogging trans fats in foods, and an updated Canada’s Food Guide. Today, we’re influencing government legislation and regulations to create a vape-free generation, improve nutrition labelling, enable access to affordable medication, and stop the onslaught of harmful marketing to children.
We’re so grateful to BMO marathon runners like you, and all our donors and supporters who are helping us to tackle these priorities and much more. We invite you to learn more, fundraise for Heart & Stroke and join us in our mission to promote health, save lives and enhance recovery for people living with or at risk for heart disease and stroke.