BLOOD PRESSURE CANADA JOINS THE MAKING THE CONNECTION PROGRAM

High blood pressure affects one-in-five Canadians and is the number one risk factor for stroke and a major risk factor for heart disease.ⁱ An astounding 42 per cent of those with high blood pressure do not know they have it.ⁱⁱ In recognition that high blood pressure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and that there is a need for increased education, Making the Connection® is pleased to welcome Blood Pressure Canada as its newest partner.

“With proper diagnosis and treatment of high blood pressure, Canadians can actually cut their risk of stroke by up to 40 per cent and risk of heart attack by up to 25 per cent,” says Dr. Norman Campbell, president, Blood Pressure Canada and professor, Department of Medicine and Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary. “Blood Pressure Canada is thrilled to be part of the Making the Connection partnership which gives Canadians the resources and information to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease.”

Blood Pressure Canada is a volunteer, nonprofit, charitable organization that is dedicated to increasing awareness about high blood pressure and reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease in Canada through prevention and control.

The Making the Connection program is a national, cardiovascular disease awareness and education program aimed at preventing Canadians from developing risk factors and improving their overall cardiovascular health. Blood Pressure Canada joins a partnership that includes the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, the Canadian Diabetes Association, the Canadian Lipid Nurse Network, the Canadian Association of Cardiac Rehabilitation, Diabetes Québec, and Pfizer Canada Inc.

For more information about the program, please visit www.makingtheconnection.ca.

ⁱ  Heart and Stroke Foundation. Health Information. Heart Disease. Prevention of Risk Factors. “High Blood Pressure.” Available at http://ww2.heartandstroke.ca/hs_bp2.asp?media=. Last Accessed January 24, 2008.

ⁱⁱ  Ibid.