Stroke Impact In Canada: Understanding The Numbers

Stroke is a leading cause of adult disability in Canada, with around 878,000 Canadians having experienced a stroke as of 2017-2018. This number has been increasing, with 526,200 stroke survivors recorded in 2003-2004 and 741,800 in 2012-2013. The rise in stroke occurrence is due to a variety of factors, including an aging population, an increase in younger people having strokes, and the rise of risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and unhealthy diets.

Number of stroke survivors in Canada

The number of stroke survivors in Canada has been increasing over the years. According to the Canadian Chronic Disease Surveillance System, there were about 526,200 stroke survivors in 2003-2004, which rose to 741,800 in 2012-2013. This represents an average annual increase of 1.0%. The age-standardized occurrence of stroke increased from 2.3% for both sexes in 2003-2004 to 2.6% in 2012-2013.

More recent data from 2017-2018 suggests that about 878,000 Canadian adults aged 20 and above have experienced a stroke, with the number of stroke survivors in Canada reaching 878,000. This increase in stroke survivors is attributed to improved stroke care and treatment, as well as an aging population.

It is worth noting that stroke is the third leading cause of death in Canada and a leading cause of adult disability. Approximately half of stroke survivors in Canada require assistance with daily activities, and the cost of acute stroke care is higher for women than for men.

To address the rising number of stroke survivors and the associated challenges, Canada has made significant advancements in stroke prevention, treatment, and recovery over the past few decades. These include research breakthroughs, increased awareness campaigns such as the FAST campaign, and improvements to systems of care, including dedicated stroke teams and units in hospitals.

Sex distribution of stroke survivors

According to national data from 2017-2018, there were 438,700 male and 439,800 female stroke survivors in Canada, totalling about 878,500 adults aged 20 and above. This is a notable increase from the 526,200 stroke survivors in 2003-2004 and 741,800 in 2012-2013.

Although the occurrence and rate of first strokes are consistently higher among men than women, a greater number of women than men have a stroke each year, partly because women have a longer life expectancy. In 2018, approximately 214,000 women and 191,000 men were living with stroke in Canada.

Women are less likely to recover from a stroke and tend to have greater morbidity and disability compared to men. They also have a slower recovery process, with approximately 46% of Canadian women participating in rehabilitation. Moreover, women generally have longer hospital stays due to stroke complications, making the cost of acute stroke care significantly higher for women.

Men aged 60 and older have a higher occurrence of stroke than women of the same age. However, the number of female stroke survivors exceeds that of males in the 80 and older age group.

Age distribution of stroke survivors

Stroke predominantly affects older people, with about 10% of adults aged 65 and older having experienced a stroke. While stroke can happen at any age, stroke risk rises rapidly after age 55.

According to the Canadian Chronic Disease Surveillance System, the number of adults aged 20 and older who experienced a stroke rose steadily over the decade between 2003–2004 and 2012–2013, with the addition of over 215,000 survivors. In 2012–2013, there were 741,800 stroke survivors in Canada, up from 526,200 in 2003–2004.

Men and women have similar stroke occurrences in younger age groups. However, men aged 60 and older have a higher occurrence of stroke than women of the same age. Despite this, among stroke survivors aged 80 and older, the number of women exceeds that of men. This is likely due to women's longer life expectancy.

As of 2017–2018, about 878,500 Canadian adults aged 20 and older had experienced a stroke, with a roughly equal distribution between men and women. Notably, one-quarter of Canadians living with stroke are under the age of 65.

Annual increase in stroke occurrence

The annual occurrence of strokes in Canada is increasing, with a rise in the number of stroke events resulting in hospital or emergency/urgent care department presentation. According to a Heart & Stroke-funded study, the annual stroke occurrence rate increased to 108,707, or approximately one stroke every five minutes, in 2017-2018. This highlights the need for improved stroke prevention and better stroke care, treatment, and recovery systems across the country.

The increase in stroke occurrences is partly due to the aging population, as age is a significant risk factor for stroke. As the number of people over 65 continues to grow, the number of strokes is expected to rise. Additionally, more younger people are experiencing strokes, which contributes to the overall increase in stroke occurrences.

The absolute number of people surviving strokes is also increasing, mainly due to advancements in medical care and population growth and aging. As of 2017-2018, the number of Canadians living with the effects of a stroke has increased to 878,000, with half requiring assistance with daily activities.

According to the Canadian Chronic Disease Surveillance System, the number of adults aged 20 and older who experienced a stroke rose steadily over the decade between 2003-2004 and 2012-2013, with an additional 215,000 survivors. The age-standardized occurrence of stroke increased from 2.3% in 2003-2004 to 2.6% in 2012-2013, representing an average annual increase of 1.0%.

The burden of stroke is shared by both sexes, with men having a higher occurrence rate than women. However, more women experience strokes each year due to their longer life expectancy. According to national data from 2017-2018, approximately 438,700 men and 439,800 women aged 20 and older have experienced a stroke in Canada.

Risk factors for stroke

Several factors can increase the risk of having a stroke. Some of these factors are controllable, while others are not.

Uncontrollable Risk Factors

Some factors that can increase the risk of stroke are beyond an individual's control. These include:

• Age: The risk of having a stroke increases with age, with the chance of a stroke about doubling every 10 years after age 55. However, it is important to note that stroke can occur at any age.
• Family History and Genetics: Genetic factors likely play a role in stroke risk, and people with a family history of stroke may have a higher chance of experiencing one.
• Sex: In general, stroke is more common in women than in men, and women of all ages are more likely to die from stroke. However, in Canada, the occurrence and rate of first stroke are consistently higher among men.
• Race or Ethnicity: In the United States, people who are non-Hispanic Black or Pacific Islander may have a higher risk of dying from a stroke compared to other racial or ethnic groups.

Controllable Risk Factors

Fortunately, there are also many risk factors that individuals can take steps to control and lower their chances of having a stroke. These include:

• High Blood Pressure: High blood pressure is the strongest modifiable risk factor for stroke. Lowering blood pressure through lifestyle changes, medication, or both can significantly reduce stroke risk.
• Lifestyle Choices:
• Diet: Eating a healthy diet that includes fruits and vegetables and limiting the intake of saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, and sodium can help lower the risk of stroke.
• Physical Activity: Regular physical activity can reduce the risk of stroke by helping to maintain a healthy weight and lower the risk of other health conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
• Smoking: Tobacco use increases the risk of stroke by damaging the heart and blood vessels. Quitting smoking can significantly reduce this risk.
• Alcohol Consumption: Drinking excessive alcohol can raise blood pressure and increase the risk of stroke. It is recommended that women have no more than one drink per day, and men should limit themselves to no more than two drinks per day.
• Medical Conditions:
• Previous Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): Individuals who have already had a stroke or TIA are at a higher risk of having another one.
• Heart Disorders: Common heart problems such as coronary artery disease, heart valve defects, irregular heartbeat (including atrial fibrillation), and enlarged heart chambers can increase the risk of blood clots that may cause a stroke.
• Diabetes: Diabetes can lead to a buildup of sugars in the blood, preventing oxygen and nutrients from reaching the brain. It is also often associated with high blood pressure, further increasing the risk of stroke.
• Obesity: Excess body fat can contribute to higher "bad" cholesterol and triglyceride levels, as well as lower "good" cholesterol levels. Obesity is also linked to high blood pressure and diabetes, which are risk factors for stroke.
• Sickle Cell Disease: This blood disorder, which primarily affects Black children, can cause red blood cells to form an abnormal sickle shape. These sickle cells can block blood flow to the brain and lead to a stroke.

Frequently asked questions