Lilia Malkin, BSc
A global decline in stroke-related mortality occurred over the last two decades. Canada boasts one of the lowest rates in the developed world: "only" seven percent of its citizens' deaths are attributed to cerebrovascular disease (CVD). Advances in the medical management of stroke combined with health promotion and risk factor modification are being credited with dropping CVD death rates by decreasing stroke severity and incidence.1 However, CVD-related morbidity remains an important issue for Canadian seniors, with CVD-related hospital admissions creeping upwards as this country's population ages.1
Preventing the occurrence of the first stroke would not only contribute to decreasing CVD-related deaths, but would alleviate a tremendous burden of suffering by diminishing the stroke-associated morbidity. This article will focus on risk factors associated with CVD and strategies for primary stroke prevention.
