A Heart & Stroke-funded study looks at visits to hospitals and emergency departments to learn more about how the healthcare system is dealing with stroke.
According to a new study funded by Heart & Stroke, the annual incidence of stroke in Canada is increasing to about one person every five minutes. This highlights the need for strong stroke care, treatment and recovery systems, and better prevention across the country.
Age is a risk factor for stroke, and the number of strokes has increased and will continue to increase as most of the population ages. However, stroke can occur at any age, and numbers show that younger people are also having stroke.
“As the incidence of stroke increases, emergency medical services and hospitals must be prepared to respond so that patients receive appropriate, timely care for the best outcome.” Alberta Health Services and Research Senior author of .
More Canadians than ever before are surviving stroke, making it the leading cause of adult disability. Needs some help with daily activities such as getting around and getting around.
“We need better access to rehabilitation and other services so that stroke patients and their caregivers receive the support they need for the best possible recovery. And we need to focus more on prevention.” added Dr. Patrice Lindsay, director of the Heart and Stroke Health System and one of the study’s authors.
Know the signs of stroke
Remind yourself and your loved ones with FACE for signs of stroke. F = face. Are you drooping? A=arm. Can you raise both arms? C=speech. Is it unclear or is it a jumble of words? E= hours. Prompt treatment could dramatically improve stroke outcomes. She should call 9-1-1 as soon as she sees the sign.
heart attack signs
For both men and women, the most common heart attack sign is chest pain or discomfort. However, women can have a heart attack without chest compressions. Watch for other signs such as sweating, nausea, light-headedness, chest tightness, tightness, bloating or pain, burning or heaviness. Discomfort in the neck, jaw, shoulders, arms and back of the upper body. Difficulty breathing.
Are you experiencing heart attack symptoms?
Thousands of people die each year from heart attacks. Recognize the signs and act quickly: Call 9-1-1. Stop all activity and sit or lie down. Take nitroglycerin. Take ASA (aspirin) and chew and swallow 1 regular strength aspirin 325 mg tablet or 2 81 mg tablets. Rest and wait, calm down. Keep a list of medications in your wallet and on your phone for paramedics.
For more information, visit heartandstroke.ca/heartsigns.
did you know?
A stroke occurs when blood flow to any part of the brain stops, damaging brain cells. The effects of a stroke depend on the part of the brain damaged and the extent of the damage. Knowing how the brain works helps us understand stroke.
Heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of death in Canada, accounting for 27.3% of all deaths.
Up to 80% of early heart disease and stroke can be prevented by adopting healthy behaviors, such as eating a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and protein from a variety of sources. This includes consuming healthy fats for optimal body function.
Canadians consume about 10% of their total calories from saturated fat and highly processed foods. Experts recommend a diet low in saturated fat.
The Heart and Stroke Foundation recommends that an individual’s total free sugar intake should not exceed 10% of total daily caloric intake, ideally less than 5%.
