Southwestern Ontario Stroke Strategy

RESOURCES

COMMUNITY STROKE REHABILITATION TEAMS

Welcome

These pages are designed to provide members of the Southwestern Ontario community with general information about stroke - what it is, the signs and symptoms, and what you should do if you or a loved one experiences these signs and symptoms. While we can't provide you with medical advice or information about your personal health, we have provided you with links to websites that have a wealth of information for the general public, stroke survivors and their families and caregivers.

What is a Stroke?

What is a TIA?

Why is Rehabilitation so Important?

Stroke Warning Signs

What are the risk factors for Stroke?

What is a Stroke?

Stroke is the sudden loss of brain function that is caused when blood flow to the brain is interrupted. Different parts of your brain control what you think, sense, and say. The effects of stroke depend on which part of the brain is damaged and how much damage occurs.

One-third of stroke survivors are under the age of 65 years. Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in Canada. Approximately 60% of stroke survivors have a disability. Brain damage from stroke radically changes the lives of stroke survivors and their families.

By learning about stroke prevention, stroke warning signs, and what to do if you have or see a stroke, you can reduce the physical, financial and emotional impact of stroke

What is a TIA?

TIA is short for transient ischemic attack. Transient means short-term and ischemic means a lack of blood supply. A transient ischemic attack is a short-term lack of blood supply to the brain and is often called a "mini-stroke." A TIA is a serious warning sign of an increased risk of stroke. Once you have had a TIA, you are also at greater risk of future TIAs.

Most TIAs last only a short time - from 30 seconds to 10 minutes - but can last as long as 24 hours.

Why is Rehabilitation so Important?

Answer - Rehabilitation promotes independence, allowing you to do more for yourself after your stroke. After leaving the hospital, there are several ways that you can continue to work on the rehabilitation goals that were set in the hospital. Read more.

Stroke Warning Signs

Stroke is treatable. When someone is having a stroke, every second counts. Know the warning signs of stroke and call 911 immediately if you see or experience one or more of these signs:

	Weakness - Sudden loss of strength or sudden numbness in the face, arm, or leg - even if temporary.
	Trouble Speaking - Sudden difficulty speaking or understanding, or sudden confusion - even if temporary.
	Vision Problems - Sudden trouble with vision - even if temporary
	Headache - Sudden, severe and unusual headache
	Dizziness - Sudden loss of balance, especially with any of the above signs.

Do not wait for the symptoms to pass. Quick action improves the chance of surviving a stroke and making a recovery!!

What are the risk factors for Stroke?

Risk Factor	What To Know.	What To Do.
Blood Pressure	One in 5 adult Canadians has high normal blood pressure (130-139/85-89 mmHg) and up to 60% of them will develop hypertension within 4 years. In Ontario, 14 out of every 100 people with high blood pressure don't know it.	Have your blood pressure checked by a health professional at least once every year.

High Blood Pressure	High blood pressure is the most important risk factor for stroke.	Follow the advice of your doctor. Take medication as prescribed. Adjust your lifestyle according to the recommendations in this chart and your health care professional.

Diabetes	Increases your risk of stroke.	Carefully control your blood sugar levels through diet and medication.

Smoking	Increases the risk of stroke by 40-60 %. Women who smoke and take birth control pills have an even higher risk.	Quit smoking and seek out a smoke free environment at home, work, play and while traveling.Phone the Smokers' Helpline at 1-877-513-5333 or visit www.smokershelpline.ca

Overweight and not physically active	Increases your risk of hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol.	Eat a healthy, balanced diet, high in fresh fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, dietary and soluble fibre, whole grains and protein from plant sources and low in saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium (salt); follow Canada's Food Guide for health eating. Moderate exercise (an accumulation of 30 to 60 minutes of walking (ideally brisk walking), jogging, cycling, swimming or other dynamic exercise, 4 to 7 days each week in addition to routine activities of daily living. Maintain goal of a body mass index of 18.5 to 24.9 and a waist circumference of less than 88 cm for women and less than 102 cm for men.

Too much alcohol	Heavy drinking, especially more than 5 drinks at a time, is strongly linked to stroke.	Drink no more than 1 or 2 alcoholic drinks a day. Fewer than 14 drinks per week for men and fewer than 9 drinks per week for women.

Heart Disease		Follow the advice of your doctor. Take your medications. Eat healthy foods, be smoke free and exercise.

High Blood Cholesterol		Follow the advice of your doctor. Eat healthy foods. Take your medications.

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