Message from the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health

Heart Health Month

February 2012

Heart Health Month is a time to think about how our everyday choices contribute to the health of our hearts and overall well being. A heart-healthy lifestyle is one that includes regular physical activity, healthy eating and maintaining a healthy weight.

Nine out of 10 Canadians over the age of 20 have at least one risk factor for heart disease and stroke. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, stress, physical inactivity, poor nutrition, misuse of alcohol and being overweight or obese increase the risk of having heart problems.

The Government of Canada is taking action. Through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, we invested more than $98 million in 2010-2011 to support cardiovascular research. This funding supports a wide range of research projects aimed at improving the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of heart disease, as well as high blood pressure and stroke.

The Government is also working towards improving Canadians' heart health through:

• The Public Health Agency of Canada's Cardiovascular Disease Program, which focuses on surveillance, prevention of high blood pressure, and providing information to Canadians on prevention.
• The Public Health Agency of Canada's Get Active Tip Sheets to help Canadians incorporate regular physical activity into their lifestyles.
• Supporting projects that develop the conditions for children and youth, adults, and communities to achieve healthier weights
• Health Canada's Eat Well and Be Active Educational Toolkit, and Canada's Food Guide,
• The Nutrition Facts Education Campaign, a partnership between Health Canada and Food & Consumer Products of Canada that helps Canadians make informed food choices.

As Minister of Health, I encourage all Canadians to consider making changes to their lifestyle to improve their heart health. Be physically active, eat a healthy diet with the recommended daily servings of fruit and vegetables, avoid smoking and manage stress. Every step will make your heart healthier.

The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq
Minister of Health
Government of Canada

For more information:

• Public Health Agency of Canada: Cardiovascular Disease
• Healthy Canadians Website: Sodium
• Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
• Hypertension Canada
• Canadian Stroke Network
• Canadian Cardiovascular Society