Home > Topics > Chronic Diseases > Stroke > Stroke Deaths

Stroke Mortality

Overall
By Sex
By Age Group

Cerebrovascular diseases (including stroke) were responsible for nearly 1,200 deaths in Simcoe Muskoka between 2005 and 2009 and were the fourth leading cause of death during that time period. Strokes accounted for 850, or more than 70 per cent of all cerebrovascular disease related deaths over these five years. 

The age-standardized mortality rate for stroke in Simcoe Muskoka for all ages and sexes in 2009 was 25.3 (21.7, 28.9) per 100,000 population, which was not significantly different than the Ontario rate of 22.2 (21.5, 22.8) per 100,000 population. 

Figure one shows the trend in stroke mortality rates for Simcoe Muskoka and Ontario over the ten year period between 2000 and 2009. The rates in both Simcoe Muskoka and Ontario have declined significantly over this ten-year period, with an average decrease of approximately five per cent per year (-5.7% (-7.9%, -3.4%) in Simcoe Muskoka and -5.0% (-5.6%, -4.5%) in Ontario).

By Sex

In 2009, the age-standardized mortality rate for stroke among Simcoe Muskoka males was 23.5 (18.1, 28.9) per 100,000, which was close to the female rate of 25.7 (20.9, 30.4) per 100,000. These rates were not significantly different than 2009 Ontario rates for males and females. 

Figure two shows the trend in stroke mortality rates for males and females in Simcoe Muskoka between 2000 and 2009. The stroke mortality rates for both males and females in Simcoe Muskoka show a significant decreasing trend over this ten-year interval.   

Figure Two

By Age Group

The risk of dying from a stroke increases exponentially with age (see figure three). The age-specific rate of stroke deaths between 2000 and 2009 (combined) in Simcoe Muskoka was highest among those 75 years and older at 447.6 (423.8, 471.4) deaths per 100,000. This was more than six times the rate for those 65 to 74 years of age and more than 30 times the rate for those 45 to 64 years of age.  

Figure Three