The Bad News...

• In spite of treatment advances, stroke remains a devastating disease and is one of the most expensive to treat.
• Stroke costs the Ontario economy almost a billion dollars a year and is a leading cause of death and adult neurological disability.
• More than three in four adults in Ontario have at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which costs more than $2 billion each year in treatment and a further $4.5 billion in lost productivity.
• At least 90,000 Ontarians are living with the effects of stroke, such as motor, cognitive or communication deficits.
• As the population of Ontario ages, the number of strokes is expected to increase.

The Good News...

• Stroke is highly preventable. The number of Ontarians at risk of stroke can be significantly reduced through lifestyle modifications such as stopping smoking, and being more physically active and eating healthy food.
• Among individuals at high risk, the number of strokes can be cut in half by such interventions as blood pressure lowering medications, antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs ("blood thinners") or surgery (carotid endarterectomy).