Prevention & screening
Protecting your heart: the basics that matter most
Most heart disease is driven by a short list of risk factors — blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking, activity, diet, diabetes. Managing them early does the most good.
6 min read · Updated
Coronary heart disease and stroke remain leading causes of death in Canada, and a large share is preventable. The risk factors are well understood and mostly the same ones.
The short list
- Blood pressure in a healthy range.
- Cholesterol checked, and managed if high.
- Not smoking or vaping — this is the single biggest change most smokers can make.
- Regular physical activity and less sitting.
- An eating pattern rich in vegetables, fruit, whole grains, legumes, nuts and fish, low in sodium, added sugar and highly processed food.
- Blood sugar in range; diabetes well managed.
- Alcohol limited; sleep and stress looked after.
Know the emergency signs
Heart attack: chest discomfort, pressure or squeezing; discomfort spreading to the neck, jaw, shoulder or arm; shortness of breath; sweating; nausea; light-headedness. Signs can be milder or different in women. Call 911 immediately — do not drive yourself. Chew an aspirin only if advised by the 911 operator.
Stroke — think FAST: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 911. Treatment works only within a few hours.
The early-action point
Every item on the short list can be measured and improved years before a heart attack or stroke. A single visit to check blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar is one of the highest-value hours you can spend on your health.
These articles summarise public health guidance and are not a substitute for care from a regulated health professional who knows your situation. If this is an emergency, call 911. For a mental-health crisis, call or text 9-8-8. See our Crisis resources.