BCPB Home > Benchmarks > Rankings > Performance Indicator 19: Cardiovascular Mortality

Performance Indicator 19: Cardiovascular Mortality

Where BC Ranks, Provincial Comparison

  
Year

1996

1997

1998

1999

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2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

Rank

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1

1

1

1

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2

Performance Indicator Nineteen tracks the number of deaths from major cardiovascular disease.

In 2005, approximately 157 people per 100,000 died from major cardiovascular disease in BC. Quebec had the lowest rate in 2005 at 147. BC has placed first or second in the country since 1990 and has experienced a 30.5 percent drop in this mortality rate between 1996 and 2005.

The gap between BC and the worst-ranked province has increased from 26 percent in 1990 to 35 percent in 2005. Although it was overtaken by Quebec in 2001, BC remains well ahead of third-place Ontario (171), which does not appear to be gaining ground.

While cardiovascular disease continues to affect the elderly, it is currently the third leading cause of death among the under-75 population and also affects quality of life, activity levels, and employability of many young Canadians.

Why It's Important
It is the leading cause of hospitalization (except childbirth) among Canadians, and is the cause of death of almost 40% of the population despite falling mortality rates from cardiovascular disease.

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