Heart & Stroke Unveils Online Tool to Assess Personal Health Risks

Heart & Stroke has launched a new online screening tool, named Risk Screen, aimed at helping Canadians understand their personal risk factors for heart disease and stroke. This innovative tool is designed to provide users with a personalized assessment of their health risks, along with actionable tips for risk reduction.

According to Dr. Christine Faubert, Vice President of Health Equity and Mission Impact at Heart & Stroke, the tool is free and serves as a vital resource for Canadians looking to improve their health. “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 stated during an interview with CTV Your Morning Atlantic on March 15, 2024.

Understanding Unique Risk Factors

The screening tool highlights common risk factors for both men and women, such as poor diet and smoking. However, Faubert emphasized that certain risks are unique to women, particularly during various life stages including pregnancy, perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause. “Some of the risks are the same as men and sometimes they will impact women differently,” she noted.

This distinction underscores the importance of awareness regarding specific health risks that women face. Faubert stressed, “It’s important for women to know that these risks are unique to them and how to reduce them or take steps to prevent them.”

Personalized Reports and Recommendations

Upon completing the online screening, users receive a personalized profile detailing their health risks, along with a comprehensive report containing recommendations and actionable tips. “A lot of the risks can be prevented through lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a healthy diet and staying active,” Faubert explained.

While some risks are modifiable, others are inherent and critical for individuals to understand. The tool not only aids in self-assessment but also serves as a conversation starter for discussions with healthcare providers or family members regarding health management strategies.

Heart & Stroke aims to empower Canadians with knowledge and resources to take control of their health. With the introduction of the Risk Screen tool, the organization continues its commitment to enhancing public health awareness and promoting preventive measures against heart disease and stroke.