Stroke Information
What is a Stroke?
Stroke is a sudden loss of brain function. It is caused by a disruption in blood flow to a part of the brain. It occurs when the blood vessel either ruptures or becomes blocked. A stroke deprives the neurons and other brain cells of glucose and oxygen, which leads to cell death. The longer the brain is deprived of oxygen and nutrients, the higher the likelihood of permanent damage to the brain.
Stroke results in permanent death of one region of the brain – it is a form of permanent brain damage. The effects of a stroke depend on the location and severity of damage.
Stroke is a medical emergency.
On average, two million neurons die with every minute that elapses following symptom onset, leading to permanent damage to the brain (Saver JL. Stroke. 2006 Jan;37(1):263-6).
Impact of Stroke in Canada
Stroke remains a leading cause of adult disability with over 878,000 people living in Canada with the consequences of stroke
1 patient every 5 minutes in Canada
Stroke and other cerebrovascular diseases are the third leading cause of death in Canada
Types of Stroke
The effects of your stroke depend on the type of stroke, the part of the brain that was damaged and the amount of damage
Ischemic Stroke
Caused by a blockage or clot in a blood vessel in your brain. The blockage can be caused when a substance called plaque builds up on the inside wall of an artery.
Hemorrhagic Stroke
Caused when an artery in the brain breaks open. The interrupted blood flow causes damage to your brain. High blood pressure weakens arteries over time and is a major cause of hemorrhagic stroke.
Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
Caused by a small clot that briefly blocks an artery. It is sometimes called a mini-stroke or warning stroke. The TIA symptoms usually last less than an hour, and may only last a few minutes. TIAs are an important warning that a more serious stroke may occur soon. They are a medical emergency – call 9-1-1.
Signs
SPOT A STROKE F.A.S.T.
It could save a life, possibly yours.
These simple letters can help you recognize the SUDDEN signs of a stroke and get help right away
Suspect Stroke? Minutes Matter!
Stroke is a medical emergency.
Northwestern Ontario residents drive to the hospital instead of accessing emergency medical services (EMS) when suspecting stroke. The importance of accessing EMS in stroke care is imperative in our Northwestern Ontario region due to the vast geography.
“We need to be aware of the benefits of calling 911 or your local emergency number and the expertise that first responders and paramedics bring to stroke care,” states Dr. Hassan, Medical Lead for the Northwestern Ontario Regional Stroke Network. “They are trained to recognize the signs of stroke and mobilize the patient quickly, remotely notifying the emergency department, resulting in saving time.”
Do not delay access to stroke care. Recognize FAST: Face-Is it drooping? Arms-Can you raise both? Speech-Is it slurred or jumbled? And Time, to call 911 or your local emergency number.
Click the video picture above. Video 1:11 mins
This video highlights a patient and family member’s stroke journey while simultaneously demonstrating the delays while self-transporting (split screen left) and the benefits of time savings when accessing EMS (split screen right) to the emergency department.
Minutes Matter.
In 2018, the Northwestern Ontario Regional Stroke Network (NWORSN) team embarked on a bedside research project called “Why 911”. They collected data from patients and families on the Regional Stroke Unit at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Center to determine how patients came into the emergency department upon the onset of stroke symptoms. The project was intended to gather information directly from patients and families to help understand why they arrived via EMS or self-transport to the hospital. The NWORSN team utilized the patients’ journeys to drive system change.
The goal of this video is to have an increase in the number of NWO residents who recognize stroke and call 911 or their local emergency number. Minutes matter!
Risk & Prevention
Prevention starts with knowing your risk.
Nine in ten Canadians have at least one risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
Almost 80% of premature heart disease and stroke can be prevented through healthy behaviours.
Risk Factors
Make a big impact on your life but understanding your risk of stroke. From lifestyle risk to medical risk and even risk you can not control.
To learn more about risk factors visit the Heart and Stroke Foundation website
“We need to be aware of the benefits of calling 9-1-1 and the expertise that first responders and paramedics bring to stroke care. They are trained to recognize the signs of stroke and mobilize the patient quickly.”
— Dr. Ayman Hassan, Medical Lead, Northwestern Ontario Regional Stroke Network
