Man who survived a stroke in his 40s says it was caused by a 'seemingly harmless' turn of the head: 'Awareness is survival'
'I probably wouldn't be here today if my wife hadn't known what was happening right when I collapsed,' Levy says. 'She knew about FAST from her training as a teacher, and she routinely discussed it at home so we were prepared if we suspected a stroke.'
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle.
This article was originally published in 2024.
Many people aren't as lucky as Levy whose wife knew the critical importance of calling for medical help without delay. In the months after his stroke, he had many conversations with stroke survivors who had brushed off their symptoms and refused offers of medical assistance. Fears of long wait times at the ER even led one victim to ignore their partner's pleas to call 9-1-1.
'You should never fear a wasted trip to the hospital,' says Levy. 'It's better to be safe now than sorry later. With something as irreversible as a stroke, you don't want to take that risk.'
June is Stroke Awareness Month in Canada. Stroke is a leading cause of adult disability in Canada, with one stroke occurring roughly every five minutes. According to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, approximately one million Canadians are living with stroke, with 108,000 strokes occurring each year. Knowing the signs of stroke can help increase your chances of a better recovery and even save your or someone else's life.
Heart & Stroke launched its FAST campaign in 2014 to provide people with a simple tool for recognizing the most common signs of stroke:
Face – is it drooping?
Arms – can you raise both?
Speech – Is it slurred or jumbled?
Time to call 9-1-1 right away.
Since the introduction of FAST 10 years ago, awareness has greatly increased, with a 2024 showing the number of Canadians who can name at least two FAST signs of stroke has doubled. However, new data reveals that only seven out of 10 Canadians know what a stroke can look like.
According to Katie White, director of health systems at Heart & Stroke, reducing the time between the onset of stroke and arrival at a hospital can mean the difference between life and death, and also lower the chance of a lifelong disability.
'Anyone witnessing or experiencing the signs of stroke should call 9-1-1 or local emergency medical services (EMS) right away,' White tells Yahoo Canada. 'Lifesaving treatment begins the second you make that call."
While awareness of FAST has increased, there are still gaps, with Heart and Stroke's poll showing disparities depending on gender, age, place of birth and race or ethnicity.
"Many ethnically diverse communities are less likely to be familiar with the FAST signs of stroke," says White. 'We don't know for sure why these differences exist, but we're exploring targeted strategies to address these inequities.' This includes translating FAST materials into multiple languages and developing toolkits specifically for First Nations communities.
The poll also showed that older Canadians are more familiar with the signs of stroke and more likely to take action, perhaps due to the belief that only older adults can be affected by stroke.
As a stroke survivor in his 40s, Levy is no stranger to this misconception.
'At least one member of my medical team said she was surprised to see someone so young and healthy present as a stroke victim,' he says. 'There were a lot of raised eyebrows and a lot of discussion around the root cause of my stroke, because of my age.'
White says that with three out of 10 Canadians unable to recognize the most common signs of stroke, there's still a lot of work to do. 'There are still not enough Canadians who recognize the signs and know to call 9-1-1 right away if they witness or experience them,' she says.
Awareness is survivalCarmi Levy
Levy's experience underscores the importance of stroke awareness for everyone, regardless of age or health status.
"I never had 'stroke' on my bingo card before it happened to me," he reflects. "I realize how easily things could have gone the other way if I hadn't been surrounded by a family that knew what to look for – and what to do when they saw it.'
'If so much as one person hears my story, learns, and acts, then that's everything to me,' he adds. 'Awareness is survival.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Faro, Yukon without primary care paramedic this weekend
There will be no primary care paramedic or nurses in Faro, Yukon, this weekend. In a post on its Facebook page, the Town of Faro said there will be no primary care paramedic in the community from Aug. 15 to Aug 19. The news comes during a temporary closure of the town's health centre because there are no nurses to staff it. The closure began Aug. 6 and is expected to last until Sept. 5. "Community members should call 911 for any emergencies and EMS [emergency medical service] dispatch will coordinate resources as needed," the post said. During the health centre closure, a primary care paramedic was meant to provide emergency coverage. Now, local volunteers might be the first to respond to emergencies over the weekend. "There will be two volunteer emergency medical responders on call, except [from] between August 18 at 8 p.m. [to] August 19 at 2 p.m.," said Nigel Allan with Yukon Health and Social Services. Allan says EMS will continue to respond to 911 calls in Faro and will dispatch the appropriate responders. "So if that's an EMS team from a neighbouring community or deploy fixed-wing [plane] or helicopter transport from Whitehorse, they'll make that determination as they normally would in any situation for a community." 'We're in the wilderness without health care' Douglas Tutty, a retired nurse and a volunteer firefighter who has lived in Faro since 2018, said primary care paramedics are responsible for assessing patients and determining if they require a medevac. Now, without a primary car paramedic, he said those assessments can't be made in the community. He said EMS will have take someone elsewhere to assess whether they need a medevac, and the closest community where that can happen is in Ross River, an hour and 15 minutes away. Tutty is concerned about the town's capacity to respond to a medical emergency this weekend. "We're in the wilderness and without health care." CBC News has reached out to the mayor of Faro for comment. As of publishing time, he had not done an interview.
Associated Press
10 hours ago
- Associated Press
LG LAUNCHES THE OPTIMISM METER TO HELP CANADIANS SPREAD POSITIVITY THROUGH MUSIC
LG invites Canadians to spread the Life's Good message by creating and sharing songs that bring optimism to others TORONTO, Aug. 15, 2025 /CNW/ - LG Electronics Canada, Inc. (LG Canada) wants to strike a chord with Canadians with the launch of the Optimism Meter – a new initiative designed to amplify and track the power of optimism. LG believes that choosing optimism makes Life Good and the Optimism Meter underscores this belief. Research shows a strong connection between music and positive emotions with more than 60% of participants in a recent survey identifying music as their most frequently used non-pharmacological cognitive enhancer.1 With this, LG invites Canadians to contribute to the Optimism Meter, and move the meter, by creating a personalized song, and sharing it with someone special using its new AI music tool, Radio Optimism. Every track shared with #OptimismWins, #LifesGood, and #RadioOptimism fuels the Optimism Meter and helps unlock a $25,000 donation to benefit the MLSE Foundation. 'Music isn't just background sound – it's one of the most powerful emotional tools we have. Whether we're trying to shake off a bad mood, calm our nerves, or tap into joy, people instinctively turn to music to regulate how they feel,' commented Dr. Frank A. Russo, Cognitive Neuroscientist and Director of the Science of Music, Auditory Research and Technology (SMART) Lab. 'It helps us understand our emotions and express what words can't. But perhaps just as important, music connects us to others. Singing or listening together can synchronize heart rates and even brain activity, fostering empathy and trust. Research has shown that music can reduce stress hormones like cortisol, boost bonding hormones like oxytocin, and make us feel closer – especially when we share a musical experience with others. At a neurological level, music activates the same reward circuits in the brain as food, and social connection. This might explain why surveys have consistently found that music is one of the most common non-prescription strategies for managing mood. Music helps us feel better, together.' A global study from LG reveals similar findings. In fact, one-third of Canadians polled believe sharing feelings through emotional content [such as music] and media is one of the most necessary ways to build meaningful connections and ultimately fuel optimism.2 This belief is supported by the understanding that having shared musical experiences, even when asynchronous, can allow people to appreciate their common humanity.3 Furthermore, the act of engaging with music together can release oxytocin, promoting social bonding.4 Radio Optimism transforms this concept into an interactive platform where participants can create and send personalized songs to their loved ones. Users can easily create new songs using AI-powered tools, which are thoroughly trained on a curated music dataset. These tools interpret user prompts to produce unique musical pieces and generate matching album art, providing an engaging and personalized experience. Once generated, these songs can be sent to recipients to deepen their connection and be shared online for others to discover worldwide. Canadians can participate in the Optimism Meter by: Every comment, post, and song shared with the campaign hashtags will contribute to the Optimism Meter, and unlock various milestones, culminating in a $25,000 donation to the MLSE Foundation. Focused on helping youth reach their full potential through sport, MLSE Foundation helps young people facing barriers thrive by providing free access to programs that support physical health, mental well-being, education, and career readiness. One standout program is the dance program at MLSE LaunchPad that empowers young girls through movement and music. With mentorship from North Side Crew, the Toronto Raptors dance team, and a recent showcase win, the program continues to inspire confidence, creativity, and connection. The Optimism Meter is more than just a campaign; it's an invitation to celebrate the joy of music, connect with others, and make a positive impact on communities across Canada. Together, let's spread the good vibes and show that Life's Good when #OptimismWins! Learn more and join the movement at About LG Electronics Canada, Inc. LG Electronics Canada, Inc. is the Canadian subsidiary of LG Electronics Inc., a global sales innovator in technology and manufacturing headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. LG Electronics Canada, with its head office in Toronto, Ontario, is comprised of three business units - Home Appliances Solution, Media Entertainment Solution, and Eco Solution. LG Electronics Canada is focused on delivering award-winning products known for blending style and technology. These innovative products include TVs, audio solutions and portable devices, home appliances, residential and commercial air solutions, computer monitors and laptops, and industry-leading OLED and LED digital display solutions. For more information, visit SOURCE LG Electronics Canada
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Yahoo
The 9 healthiest dark chocolates, according to dietitians
These sweet morsels are packed with good-for-you compounds. Downing a smooth, sweet morsel of chocolate may feel like the ultimate indulgence, but did you know that certain compounds in dark chocolate could actually be good for your heart? Yes, you read that correctly — dark chocolate is more than just a delicious treat; it has some sweet potential benefits for your cardiovascular health too. Before you start stockpiling candy bars, though, there's a bit more to the science than simply grabbing the darkest-looking chocolate on the shelf. As a registered dietitian, here's what I think you need to know about the potential health benefits and drawbacks of dark chocolate, plus the healthiest dark chocolate options to consider the next time you hit the grocery store. Table of contents The heart-healthy perks of dark chocolate What to look for in dark chocolate What about heavy metals like lead and cadmium in dark chocolate? How much dark chocolate can you eat? The best dark chocolates for heart health Meet our experts Update, Aug. 14, 2025: We checked all product prices and availability. We have updated our choices for the healthiest dark chocolates based on the latest research and information. (back to top) The heart-healthy perks of dark chocolate Dark chocolate isn't just a decadent treat. It's a delicious source of nutrients and compounds that support heart health. Dark chocolate contains health-promoting antioxidants "Dark chocolate has flavonoids, a type of antioxidant, which studies have correlated with heart health, improved blood flow, and potential for cancer prevention," says Amanda Goodman, a registered dietitian. When focusing on heart health, these flavonoids have been shown to deliver a host of cardiovascular benefits, including improved blood flow, lower blood pressure and enhanced function of blood vessels. A 2019 meta-analysis published in the BMJ looked at data from 23 previously conducted studies on chocolate and heart disease risk, with more than 400,000 combined participants. The authors concluded that eating chocolate — notably, they don't specify dark chocolate here — was associated with a reduced risk of heart disease. They note that this reduced risk applied only for people who eat less than 100 grams of the stuff every week, since eating more than this increases a person's sugar consumption enough to negate some or all of the benefits. For reference, 100 grams is between 3 and 4 servings of most of the dark chocolate bars listed below, which publish serving sizes between 25-30 grams; or the equivalent of 22 Hershey Kisses. One reason this may be the case is that chocolate consumption may help improve blood flow in your arteries, making it easier for your heart to do its job. Additionally, flavonols (a subgroup of flavonoids) in dark chocolate help combat inflammation, an underlying cause of many cardiovascular problems. Dark chocolate offers an assist during stressful moments But there's more to dark chocolate's magic, especially when it comes to handling stress and heart health. A smaller study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition showed dark chocolate consumption may help reduce the cardiovascular strain induced by stress, making it easier for the body to stay calm under pressure. Milk chocolate, on the other hand, didn't produce these stress-busting benefits, further underscoring why dark chocolate reigns supreme for heart health. Dark chocolate contains heart-supporting magnesium "Dark chocolate is also a source of magnesium," shared Samantha Turner, a registered dietitian and the owner of Forks and Grace. If you have low levels of magnesium, you may be at greater risk for heart problems like irregular heartbeats, high blood pressure and strokes, while maintaining healthy levels of this mineral could play a key role in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Dark chocolate may reduce the risk of other chronic diseases and complications associated with them But the health benefits linked to dark chocolate don't stop at heart health. Data published in BMJ in 2024 indicate that an increased consumption of dark, but not milk, chocolate was associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. There's also evidence that dark chocolate helps reduce the inflammatory burden of chronic kidney disease and may help improve cognitive function and mood in older adults. However, the benefits of dark chocolate aren't automatic. Choosing high-quality dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa and enjoying it in moderation is crucial to reaping the rewards. Overindulgence or opting for varieties overloaded with sugar could dampen its positive effects. And, of course, your overall diet should be balanced and rich in nutrient-dense foods in order to reap the most positive health benefits. The conclusion? Dark chocolate, in the right form and portion, is more than just a snack — it's a heart-helper and stress soother all rolled into one delicious package. (back to top) What to look for in dark chocolate When choosing dark chocolate, aim for bars that contain at least 70% cacao, since cacao is where the flavonoids come from. Colleen Wysocki, a registered dietitian and the owner of ZEST Nutrition, advised that consumers will get more antioxidants if they choose a cacao percentage of 85% or higher. When you're choosing which one to buy, keep in mind the fact that dark chocolate is still a treat, not a health food. If you can't stand the flavor of an 85% cacao bar, go ahead and buy the 70% cacao bar that you actually enjoy. Another reason not to assume that higher-cacao bars are always better is that some brands sneak in extra sugar or cocoa butter (which contains mostly saturated fat) to balance out the bitterness of the cacao (which, admittedly, can be an acquired taste). Be sure to check the label — if added sugar tops the list, it might be time to swipe left. "Look for cacao as the first ingredient instead of sugar," says Wysocki. Some brands add sweetness by leaning on low- and no-calorie sweeteners, like stevia. These additions can help make dark chocolate taste a bit sweeter without the worry about too many added sugars. In fact, evidence from one small study indicates that among people with diabetes, consuming sugar-free dark chocolate bars sweetened with stevia, erythritol and inulin may result in better blood glucose control versus eating a conventional dark chocolate bar. That said, not everyone tolerates these sugar alternatives well, so if you prefer to steer clear of them, be sure to check the label before making a purchase. You may also want to consider choosing Fair Trade Certified chocolate if you prioritize supporting brands that ensure their workers are paid fairly and work under safe, ethical conditions. Fair Trade chocolates also promote sustainable farming practices that benefit communities and the environment. Finally, you may want to consider opting for organic chocolate. When a chocolate is certified organic, you know it's made from cacao and other ingredients grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides or genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The farming methods used in organic chocolate production prioritize soil health, biodiversity and sustainable practices, ensuring environmental and consumer benefits. (back to top) What about heavy metals like lead and cadmium in dark chocolate? To be honest, the topic of heavy metals in food is kind of a doozy. While the Food and Drug Administration provides guidance on and monitors the levels of heavy metals (like lead and cadmium) considered safe or unsafe in foods and states that they're committed to lowering levels of these metals in our food supply, they don't strictly enforce any official limits on these compounds. That means that it can be impossible to know how much lead or cadmium is in the various food products you buy, unless the brand voluntarily tests and discloses these levels. For a 2024 study published in Frontiers in Nutrition, the authors tested 72 different chocolate products, including many popular dark chocolate brands, and found that 43% of them contained more than the maximum allowable dose for lead and 35% contained more than the maximum allowable dose for cadmium. It's worth noting that they got these maximum doses from California's Prop 65 standards, which are stricter than the FDA's recommended (but not strictly enforced) maximum allowable doses. There's probably no reason to panic and get rid of every chocolate product in your pantry. The aforementioned study authors say that heavy metal exposure in chocolate likely doesn't pose any real health risk for the average person when consumed in moderation, which means no more than a single 1-ounce serving per day. That said, some populations (particularly infants and children) are more susceptible to heavy metal poisoning, and the amount of lead and cadmium in dark chocolate might pose some risk to these higher-risk populations if they're eaten in large quantities or in a diet that contains other foods high in heavy metals. If you're worried about heavy metals in food, Consumer Reports published a list of heavy metal amounts in several popular chocolate bars, using California's Prop 65 standards as a benchmark. (back to top) How much dark chocolate can you eat? Now, for the million-dollar question — how much dark chocolate can you actually eat to stay healthy? Moderation is key. Wysocki suggests sticking to about 1 ounce (one or two small squares) of dark chocolate per day to reap the cardiovascular benefits without loading up on calories and sugar and to minimize the risk of consuming excess heavy metals. While it might be tempting to devour an entire bar, remember that dark chocolate, like all good things, is best enjoyed in moderation. Here are some ways to enjoy dark chocolate without "overdoing it": Pair with fresh fruit. Enjoy a small piece of dark chocolate alongside fresh fruit like strawberries, oranges or cherries. The natural sweetness of the fruit complements the rich flavor of the chocolate while adding vitamins and fiber. Choose pre-portioned options. Buy individually wrapped dark chocolate squares or pre-portioned bars. Use as a topping. Shave or grate a small amount of dark chocolate over yogurt, oatmeal or a smoothie bowl for a sweet touch without consuming a full bar. Make DIY trail mix. Combine a few dark chocolate chips with nuts, seeds and dried fruit for a balanced snack packed with protein, healthy fats and antioxidants. Enjoy mindfully. Take the time to savor each bite of dark chocolate. Eating slowly allows you to fully appreciate its flavor and helps prevent overeating. (back to top) The best dark chocolates for heart health Now that you're armed with the science of dark chocolate's heart-healthy perks, it's time to put theory into practice. Don't just grab any old chocolate bar. Show your heart (and your taste buds) some love by choosing wisely. From rich, velvety options to ethically sourced delights, we've got the sweetest suggestions to make your chocolate choice as savvy as it is indulgent. Let's unwrap the best dark chocolates to keep your ticker happy and your sweet tooth satisfied. (back to top) Meet our experts Amanda Goodman, MS, RDN, CDN, registered dietitian and owner of Amanda Goodman Nutrition Samantha Turner, MPH, RD, registered dietitian and owner of Forks and Grace Colleen Wysocki, MS, RDN, CLC, registered dietitian and owner of ZEST Nutrition Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.
