In a new Heart & Stroke* survey of more than 1,000 health professionals, earlier identification and treatment of medical risk factors, improved treatments and increased public awareness around medical emergencies were highlighted as the greatest contributors to the decrease in the death rate from heart disease and stroke over the past seven-plus decades.
The death rate in Canada from heart disease and stroke has decreased by more than 80% over the past 75 years. But the burden remains significant: more than six million Canadians are living with these conditions, and they are the cause of one in five deaths.
“The progress we have seen is substantial, but the work is far from finished,” says Doug Roth, CEO, Heart & Stroke. “The advances made over the past 75 years demonstrate what is possible when there are improvements across the continuum from prevention to treatment and care. With millions of people in Canada living with heart disease or stroke, continued investment in health equity and access to healthcare will be critical to further improving heart and brain health, ultimately helping people across the country live longer, healthier lives.”
Drivers of past progress and what needs to come next
According to the survey, more than six in 10 health professionals pointed to earlier identification and treatment of medical risk factors, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol, and the same number noted better treatments, including surgical procedures and medications, as leading contributors to the decrease in the death rate from heart disease and stroke. Half of health professionals identified increased public awareness around recognizing medical emergencies such as heart attack, stroke and cardiac arrest and knowing what action to take as one of the top three reasons.
The impact of these advances can be seen in people like John Wheatcroft. Diagnosed with a congenital heart condition in the 1970s, at the age of 29, he has had three surgeries and is now on his fifth pacemaker, benefiting from decades of advances in cardiac surgery, medical device technology and rehabilitation.
“The surgery was absolutely life-changing. […] They had me up and walking the next day, and the pain management was so much better,” says Wheatcroft, comparing his most recent heart surgery – an operation via an incision in his side – with the open-chest procedures he underwent decades earlier.
Building on past progress, health professionals say further gains will depend on improving access to care and ensuring people receive care more equitably. Almost half of health professionals ranked better access to healthcare services as a top priority for improving heart and brain health, while more than one in three cited more equitable access to healthcare.
One in three identified earlier identification and treatment of medical risk factors, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol, as a top priority for further improving heart and brain health. About three in 10 cited government policies, laws and regulations that support healthy lifestyle choices, while a similar number pointed to increasing focus on ensuring children and youth have the healthiest start possible.
Research remains critical for heart and brain health
When health professionals were asked to predict the biggest research breakthroughs in the next 10 to 20 years in heart and brain health, more than four in 10 identified areas related to new or improved diagnosis and treatment, while two in 10 provided responses around prevention and risk factors.
Virtually all respondents said that more research on heart disease and stroke, including prevention, causes, diagnosis, treatment and care, is important.
Research has played a critical role in many of the advances that have improved heart and brain health. Dr. Lori West's discoveries offer a powerful example. Funded by Heart & Stroke, her work has dramatically improved survival for children waiting for a heart transplant by allowing donor and recipient blood types to differ.
“Research has many impacts, but few that are quite as deeply meaningful, where you can say this discovery actually had a direct impact on the lives of these families and these children, in the real sense of life and death,” says West.
West credits early research funding with helping her team generate the evidence needed to move the work forward and emphasizes the importance of continued investment in future discoveries. “We always need to do better, and we can only make advances with continued research.”
Assuming research funding is ongoing and stable, health professionals identified translating research into real-world, measurable improvements in prevention, care and recovery as the factor that could have the biggest impact on improving heart and brain health. The importance of clearly communicating research results as well as ensuring a robust research talent pipeline were also noted as key factors.
* A total of 1,031 health professionals participated in the online survey, and data were collected between June 22 and August 5, 2026. Respondents included nurses, doctors, researchers, healthcare administrators and system leaders, rehabilitation specialists and other allied health professionals.
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About Heart & Stroke
Life. We don’t want you to miss it. That’s why Heart & Stroke has been leading the fight to beat heart disease and stroke for more than 70 years. We must generate the next medical breakthroughs, so Canadians don’t miss out on precious moments. Together, with the generous support of our donors, partners and volunteers we are working to prevent disease, save lives and promote recovery through research, health promotion and public policy. Heartandstroke.ca @HeartandStroke
Contact information
Renée Dunk
Renee.Dunk@heartandstroke.ca
416 562 2695