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Canadian Journal of Public Health = Revue Canadienne de Santé Publique logoLink to Canadian Journal of Public Health = Revue Canadienne de Santé Publique
. 2001 Mar 1;92(2):121–126. doi: 10.1007/BF03404945

Heart Disease Risk Factor Prevalence and Profiles in a Randomized Community Sample of Canadian Women

Ronald C Plotnikoff 112,412,512,, Kylie Hugo 212, Natalie Cousineau 312
PMCID: PMC6979858  PMID: 11338150

Abstract

This study examined the prevalence and profiles of behavioural and biomedical risk factors of heart disease in a randomized community sample of 843 Canadian women. Sociodemographic characteristics were also examined to determine their association with women who have multiple primary risk factors versus risk factor-free women. A greater proportion of high-risk women (n=81) reported to have less education, lower income and employment levels and were more likely to live without a partner than women with no primary risk factors (n=135). These findings contribute to the understanding of the growing complexity of addressing heart health beyond lifestyle behaviours as articulated by the Victoria (1992), Catelonia (1995), Singapore (1998) and Women’s International (2000) Declarations on Heart Health. Public health planning should continue to address physical activity, smoking and dietary behaviours across age groups with a concentrated effort to target high-risk, socioeconomically disadvantaged women. Risk assessment for heart disease must also include sociodemographic characteristics for tailoring heart health programs in the community.

Footnotes

Acknowledgement to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario which funded part of this project. Grant Number #NA3162 to Ronald C. Plotnikoff.

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