By Heart and Stroke Association - Saskatchewan

June is Stroke Month – Information YOU Need to Know

Jun 1, 2011 | 11:35 PM

MANAGE YOUR RISKS, LEARN THE SIGNS OF STROKE AND CALL 9-1-1.

 In Saskatchewan, stroke is the leading cause of adult disability and the third leading cause of death, according to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Each year more than 2,200 people experience a stroke in our province. Only one in ten will recover completely and three-quarters will be left with some form of disability. Unfortunately, the devastating impact of stroke is still not widely understood in Saskatchewan, nor is the fact that it can strike anyone at any age.

“I am the new face of stroke, not the picture of the stroke patient you may have in your mind,” shares Lee Cayer of Willow Bunch, Saskatchewan. “I’m a survivor but I might not be here to tell my story had my family not recognized my symptoms as a stroke and called 9-1-1 immediately. The administration of a clot-busting drug at the hospital gave me back my life.” Lee is an active 46-year-old horse woman and ranch owner whose stroke in 2009 and subsequent recovery has inspired her to share her story in hopes of saving other lives.

The new stroke treatments mean there are more success stories like Lee’s; still, however too many stories don’t end as well.

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The Foundation, along with Lee and her family, encourages everyone to learn the warning signs of a stroke and to call 9-1-1 immediately if any of the signs appear: Sudden Weakness, Trouble Speaking, Vision Problems, Sudden Headache and Dizziness.

“Heart disease and stroke are the leading cause of death in women in Canada, killing 32 per cent more women than men,” says Heart and Stroke Foundation’s Director of Stroke Strategy Gwen Gordon.

“The real tragedy is that 80 per cent of strokes are preventable, whether you are a man or a woman.” The Heart and Stroke Foundation’s 2011 Stroke Month Report warns that Saskatchewan women need to be aware of their risks for stroke.

The report is based on a poll of Canadian women that determined 23 per cent of all women could not even name one risk factor for stroke. And only 28 per cent recognized high blood pressure as a risk factor, when in fact it is the number one risk factor for stroke. The full 2011 Stroke Report is available at www.heartandstroke.sk.ca.

The Foundation continues to reach out to Canadians with information about their health and is launching two new free Smartphone apps today to help all Canadians make simple lifestyle changes and lower their risk for stroke: My Heart&Stroke Blood Pressure app and Heart&Stroke Health Check Recipe Helper Smartphone app.

Working with the Government of Saskatchewan and various health regions, the Foundation is dedicated to having the Saskatchewan Integrated Stroke Strategy implemented across the province.

The Strategy will prevent many strokes and give hope for a fuller recovery and better quality of life for people experiencing stroke, no matter where they live in Saskatchewan. The strategy puts protocols in place for stroke prevention clinics, emergency transport and treatment and recovery programs. Visit www.heartandstroke.sk.ca/stroke to learn more about the stroke strategy in Saskatchewan.