Home > Topics > Chronic Diseases > Stroke > Stroke Deaths

Stroke Mortality

Overall
By Sex
By Age Group

Cerebrovascular diseases (including stroke) were responsible for nearly 1,500 deaths in Simcoe Muskoka between 2000 and 2005 and were the third leading cause of death during that time period. Stroke accounted for 1100 (or 75 per cent) of all cerebrovascular disease related deaths during the same time period. 

The age-standardized mortality rate for stroke in Simcoe Muskoka for all ages and sexes in 2005 was 24.0 (20.3, 27.8) per 100,000 population, which was not significantly different than the Ontario rate of 25.5 (24.7, 26.2) per 100,000 population. In 2005, the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for stroke deaths in Simcoe Muskoka compared with Ontario was 0.96 (0.81, 1.11), which means that Simcoe Muskoka and Ontario had the same mortality experience with stroke. 

Figure one shows the trend in stroke mortality rates for Simcoe Muskoka and Ontario over the six year period between 2000 and 2005. The rates in Ontario have declined steadily over the six year period, with an overall reduction of 24 per cent. The rates in Simcoe Muskoka were relatively stable between 2000 and 2002, but then declined by sharply by 32 per cent in the following three years to converge with the Ontario rate.

By Sex

In 2005, the age-standardized mortality rate for stroke among Simcoe Muskoka males was 22.3 (16.5, 28.1) per 100,000, which was nearly the same as the female rate of 24.8 (19.9, 29.8) per 100,000. These rates were not significantly different than 2005 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 2005. The trend in stroke mortality among males was relatively stable between 2000 and 2003, before declining sharply by 44 per cent in 2004. The rates in females were stable between 2000 and 2002, before dropping by 21 per cent in 2003 and then leveling off.  

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 2005 (combined) in Simcoe Muskoka was highest among those 75 years and older at 490.1 (457.3, 524.2) deaths per 100,000. This was more than six times the rate for those 65 to 74 years of age and more than 33 times the rate for those 45 to 64 years of age.  

Figure Three