Message from the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health

Heart Health Month

February marks Heart Health Month and serves as an occasion for us all to focus on steps we can take to help prevent cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and stroke.

Today, nine out of 10 Canadians above the age of 20 have at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease. These include: high blood pressure; diabetes; smoking; stress; physical inactivity; not eating enough fruits and vegetables; and being overweight or obese.

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death and represents a significant threat to our health. As a result, the Government of Canada is taking action. For example:

• The Government of Canada's Cardiovascular Disease Program focuses on surveillance, preventing hypertension, and providing information to Canadians on prevention. Activities include carefully monitoring the incidence of cardiovascular diseases and stroke, analyzing trends over time and sharing information widely for developing new programs and policies;
• Mandatory nutrition labelling and the Trans Fat monitoring program have led to a substantial reduction of trans fats in the food supply;
• Through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, significant research funding (approximately $101.2 million in 2008-2009) is provided to advance prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease; and
• In October 2007, the Government of Canada established a Working Group on Dietary Sodium Reduction to develop and oversee the implementation of a strategy for reducing sodium intake among Canadians. The Working Group is expected to develop a Strategic Framework for Sodium Reduction by the summer of 2010.
• Smoking is also a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The Government of Canada is working with communities, territories, provinces and other partners to reduce smoking rates and protect the health of Canadians. For example, the Cracking Down on Tobacco Marketing Aimed at Youth Act, which received Royal Assent on October 8, 2009, will make it harder for industry to entice young people to start smoking.

During this month I urge Canadians to take action to protect their heart health. Be physically active, eat the recommended daily servings of fruit and vegetables, avoid smoking, manage stress, avoid high-fat foods and reduce sodium intake. Each of these steps supports a healthy heart.

Leona Aglukkaq
Minister of Health
Government of Canada

For more info:
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook throughout the month of February

• Public Health Agency of Canada homepage
• Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide
• Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide: First Nations, Inuit and Métis
• Health Canada: The Issue of Sodium
• Canadian Institutes of Health Research
• Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
• Hypertension.ca
• Canadian Stroke Network
• Canadian Cardiovascular Society