Although comorbidity increases the health care and community support needs for patients, and the burden for the health care system, there are few population-based studies on comorbidity in patients with stroke. This study aims to evaluate the occurrence of important comorbidities among stroke patients in the Canadian population.

Data from the population-based 2011–2012 Canadian Community Health Survey containing responses from 124,929 participants covering about 98% of the Canadian population when weighted were examined and analyzed by means of logistic regression models.

There was a statistically significant association between stroke history and multiple comorbid risk factors. Stroke prevalence increased in individuals with heart disease (odds ratio (OR): 3.80, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.77–3.84), hypertension (OR: 1.97, 95% CI: 1.95–1.99), diabetes (OR: 1.74, 95% CI: 1.72–1.75), mood disorder (OR: 2.14, 95% CI: 2.12–2.17), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (OR: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.44–1.48) compared to others without the condition. Of 2067 participants with stroke, 1680 (81.3%) had one or more comorbid conditions (heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, mood disorder, or COPD) that coexist with stroke and 48% had two or more. Comorbidity increased with age, and two-thirds of stroke patients with comorbid medical conditions were 60 years of age or older.

This population-based study provides evidence of comorbidity between stroke and other conditions that include heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, mood disorder, and COPD. Canadian individuals with stroke have a high burden of comorbidity. Health care systems need to recognize and respond to the strong association of comorbidity and stroke occurrence. This key factor should be considered when allocating resources.