Most survive heart attack, but challenges remain : Report

The Heart and Stroke Foundation has released a report that suggests Canadians still have work to do when it comes to their heart health.

Heart disease is the second leading cause of death in Canada, but the report suggests survival rates are going up.

The report says that in the 1950’s and 60’s between 30 and 35% of heart attack victims who made it to hospital died, and today only 5% who make it to hospital do.

Over the same time, heart disease has gone from causing just under half (46%) of the deaths in the country to 27 per cent.

Even still, nine out of 10 Canadians have at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

The problem is that while smoking rates have been cut and things like cholesterol managed, other risk factors are popping up. Diabetes rates in heart attack patients have skyrocketed to 31 per cent from 17 per cent in a matter of decades.

Obesity rates have spiked in adults as the population ages, while those rates have tripled in children. Poor diets and a lack of physical activity are also major factors.

Despite that, only 12 per cent of Canadians are aware they may be at risk.

Agencies/Canadajournal