Deaths from cardiovascular diseases
Although the total number of people dying each year in Canada due to major cardiovascular diseases has increased over the past few years, the death rate has decreased and is much lower than the rate recorded in the year 2000. In 2020, there were around 191 deaths in Canada from major cardiovascular diseases per 100,000 population, compared to a rate of 247 per 100,000 population in 2000. This decrease in death rates is most likely due to increased awareness of risk factors and a larger focus on healthy living. However, although some risk factors for cardiovascular diseases can be controlled, others, such as genetic factors and age, cannot. Although cardiovascular diseases can happen at any age, older people are much more likely to die from such diseases than younger people. In 2020, the death rate due to major cardiovascular diseases in Canada among those aged 75 to 79 years was around 658 per 100,000 population, while those aged 30 to 34 years had a death rate of just 5 per 100,000.Cardiovascular diseases among men and women
Although cardiovascular diseases are the second leading cause of death in Canada among both men and women, rates of death due to cardiovascular diseases are higher among men, with this difference increasing over the past few years. For example, in 2020, the death rate for cardiovascular diseases among men in Canada was 201 per 100,000 population, compared to a rate of 181 per 100,000 women. Concerning the specific types of cardiovascular diseases, diseases of the heart account for the most deaths among both men and women, but rates are much higher for men. It is not completely understood why men have higher rates of cardiovascular diseases than women, but it is believed that higher rates of smoking and high cholesterol, as well as poorer diets and stress management may play a role.
