Heart & Stroke Introduces Online Tool to Assess Heart Risks

Heart & Stroke has launched a new online screening tool designed to help Canadians assess their personal risk factors for heart disease and stroke. The tool, named Risk Screen, aims to provide users with tailored insights into their health, enabling them to make informed decisions about their lifestyle and healthcare.

According to Dr. Christine Faubert, the vice president of health equity and mission impact at Heart & Stroke, the initiative reflects the organization’s commitment to health awareness. “It supports and gives tips to people they can take to reduce and manage their risks. It’s a really personalized approach to understand one’s own unique risk,” Faubert explained during an interview with CTV News.

Personalized Health Insights for All Canadians

The Risk Screen tool is available for free and provides users with a comprehensive profile that highlights their individual risks after they complete a screening questionnaire. This profile includes a report filled with recommendations and actionable tips for managing health risks.

Faubert emphasized that while many risk factors, such as poor diet and smoking, affect both men and women similarly, there are specific risks that uniquely impact women. “Especially when we think about women’s unique life stages with things like pregnancy, perimenopause, menopause, or after menopause. Some of the risks are the same as men, and sometimes they will impact women differently,” she noted.

The tool is designed not only to educate users about their health but also to facilitate discussions with healthcare providers or family members about lifestyle changes that can improve well-being. “A lot of the risks can be prevented, like through lifestyle changes. It’s important to eat healthy and stay active as much as possible,” Faubert added. She also pointed out that some risks are unavoidable but crucial for individuals to recognize.

Empowering Canadians to Take Charge of Their Health

The launch of Risk Screen is part of a broader initiative by Heart & Stroke to promote heart health and stroke prevention across Canada. Providing Canadians with easy access to information about their health is essential in fostering a proactive approach to managing risk factors.

As more individuals become aware of their personal health risks, the potential for significant improvements in public health outcomes increases. By encouraging lifestyle changes and informed discussions with healthcare professionals, tools like Risk Screen can play a vital role in reducing the incidence of heart disease and stroke in the population.

For additional information on this initiative and to access the Risk Screen tool, interested individuals can visit the Heart & Stroke website.