Latest news with #StrokeMonth
Malaysian Reserve
3 days ago
- General
- Malaysian Reserve
What you don't know about stroke may surprise you
Heart & Stroke shares five essential facts everyone should know this Stroke Month TORONTO, June 3, 2025 /CNW/ – June is Stroke Month and Heart & Stroke is sharing five facts everyone should know about stroke – but probably doesn't. More than 108,000 strokes occur every year in Canada and yet, more than one-third of Canadians don't know the most common signs of stroke* and seven in 10 Canadians don't understand the risk factors for stroke and heart disease**. 'This Stroke Month we are raising awareness to help people in Canada better understand stroke, take steps to prevent it, and recognize the signs and know what to do,' says Katie White, director of health systems, Heart & Stroke. 'Knowing this information can save lives.' Five Surprising Facts About Stroke 1. Stroke can happen at any ageWhile stroke risk increases as people get older, stroke can happen to anyone. Young adults, babies and young children can all have strokes. In fact, risk of stroke in children is greatest in the weeks surrounding their birth; every day in Canada one baby has a stroke during this critical time and more than 10,000 children are living with stroke. 2. Stroke is on the rise — but more people surviveA stroke now occurs roughly every five minutes in Canada. Our aging population is a big reason for the increase, but more younger people are also having strokes. This is linked to increases in risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. In fact, about one in 20 strokes in Canada occurs in people under the age of 45, according to Heart & Stroke funded research, and emerging evidence points to young women being at higher risk than young number of people surviving stroke has increased over the past several decades and now almost one million people in Canada are living with stroke. 'Before I had my stroke, I thought only older people could get them. I had no idea that I was even able to have one,' says Samantha Gomez. The former Mrs. Universe Canada experienced a severe ischemic stroke at only 23 years old. 3. Stroke is linked to heart health'The heart can affect the brain, the brain can affect the heart, and they can both be affected by other processes in the body' says Dr. Thalia Field, a stroke neurologist, professor of medicine at the University of British Columbia and a Heart & Stroke-funded conditions like heart failure, congenital heart disease and atrial fibrillation can increase the risk of stroke – sometimes dramatically – and stroke can increase the risk of heart conditions including cardiac arrest. This is because the heart and brain are connected by the vascular system – a network of vessels that carry blood and oxygen throughout the Wong, a television producer, father and avid runner was in his 40s when he had a stroke. Tests eventually revealed that Ken was born with a small hole between the upper chambers in his heart, called a patent foramen ovale (PFO) which can increase the risk of stroke caused by a clot. 'That's not necessarily why I had a stroke, but that could be the reason,' Ken recalls. 'Learning that was like a kind of resolution; a bit of relief.' 4. Stroke can be preventedUp to 80% of premature stroke and heart disease can be prevented by embracing healthy habits like eating a healthy diet, being active and living smoke-free. This is harder for some people than others because of factors like their financial situation, where they live and other inequities. And some risk factors like age, sex and family history cannot be changed. 5. Knowing the FAST stroke signs saves lives Recognizing the signs of stroke and acting quickly can mean the difference between life and death, or between a better recovery and a lasting disability. FAST is an easy and memorable way to remember the major signs of stroke: F Face, is it drooping? A Arms, can you raise them? S Speech, is it slurred or jumbled? T Time to call 9-1-1 right away Since launching the FAST campaign in 2014, the number of Canadians who can name at least two FAST signs of stroke has doubled. But despite this progress more needs to be done to increase awareness, and recognition varies across the country. 'There have been immense improvements in awareness, diagnosis, treatment and recovery, but stroke is still a leading cause of death and adult disability,' says Doug Roth, CEO, Heart & Stroke. 'This Stroke Month we invite everyone in Canada to join us as we continue to take action to beat stroke.' *National, bilingual online poll of 3824 Canadian residents 18 years and older, carried out November 13, 2024 – December 17, 2024 by Environics Research Group.** National, bilingual online poll of 2003 Canadian residents 18 years and older, carried out May 29 – June 9 2023 by Environics Research Group. For more information: Backgrounder Download the FAST signs of stroke More information about stroke About Heart & Stroke Life. We don't want you to miss it. That's why Heart & Stroke has been leading the fight to beat heart disease and stroke for more than 70 years. We must generate the next medical breakthroughs, so Canadians don't miss out on precious moments. Together, with the generous support of our donors, partners and volunteers we are working to prevent disease, save lives and promote recovery through research, health promotion and public policy. @HeartandStroke
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Want to prevent a stroke? 5 simple, everyday lifestyle changes you should make, according to a doctor
Nearly 900,000 Canadian adults have experienced a stroke — a disease that affects blood flow to, and within, the brain and damages brain cells. With June being Stroke Month, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada is raising awareness about the disease, its risk factors and myths. And, while many factors influence stroke risk — including things you can't change, like genetics, age and sex — certain lifestyle changes can lower your risk of stroke. In fact, 80 per cent of strokes are preventable. However, according to a 2023 poll, 7 in 10 Canadians don't understand the risk factors for stroke and heart disease. It can be hard to fix what you don't understand. With this in mind, Yahoo Canada spoke to Dr. Nishita Singh. She's a stroke neurologist, assistant professor at the University of Manitoba and the Heart and Stroke and Research Manitoba chair in clinical stroke research. Here, Singh shares her advice on how to decrease stroke risk by making lifestyle changes and embracing healthy habits. First, an important reminder: 'Stroke can happen at any age, and the risk of stroke increases as people get older,' Singh says. While 80 per cent of all strokes happen to those over the age of 60, it's important to note that younger people can — and do — have strokes. 'It's really important that you keep your heart and brain healthy,' Singh says. 'That's what would prevent stroke and heart disease, and it all begins with understanding your risk and knowing what you can do to manage them.' The good news is, healthy lifestyle behaviours can be very effective in lowering your stroke risk. 'These simple habits are, of course, easier for some than others," the doctor continues. "But they can make a remarkable difference when it comes to decreasing your risk of stroke and heart disease in the future.' Singh and other doctors advise patients to aim for 10,000 steps per day. If you're not doing any kind of physical activity each day, Singh says you should start — whether you're in your 20s or 60s — or even older. 'It's never too late to start any kind of physical activity,' she says. Can't hit 10,000 steps? That's OK. Any exercise is better than nothing, Singh notes. 'There is a cumulative benefit when it comes to physical activity, so even if you start with 2,000 steps a day or 5,000 steps a day, that's also good,' she explains. As a benchmark, the Heart and Stroke Foundation suggests people get in 150 minutes of exercise per week, which is about 20 minutes each day. And it doesn't have to be hitting the gym or lifting weights. Singh says it can be as simple as walking. Smoking is one of the biggest risk factors for both heart disease and stroke, Singh says. 'It is also one of the most challenging things to do at a personal level when it comes to quitting.' Smoking causes stickiness in your blood cells, making them clump together more easily — and more likely to form clots. Smoking can also lead to deposition of cholesterol plaques, which can cause narrowing of the arteries in the heart, the brain and throughout your body. 'That can lead to symptoms of heart disease, heart attack or stroke,' Singh explains. The same goes for e-cigarettes and vaping. If you're thinking about quitting, Singh says it doesn't have to be an 'all or nothing' mindset. 'Just start with taking baby steps — there's a cumulative benefit there as well," she says. Experts generally recommend limiting alcohol intake for heart health. In fact, the World Heart Federation says that even moderate alcohol consumption can harm cardiovascular health, and Health Canada's guidelines to limit alcohol consumption to no more than two drinks per week align with this. 'There's a lot of recent data which actually strongly supports that no alcohol is the best way to protect yourself from heart disease or stroke,' Singh says. 'Currently, you should abstain from alcohol completely to prevent any further risk.' It's one of the most commonly asked questions Singh gets: What exactly should I be eating as part of a healthy diet? 'It's really about conscious eating and conscious lifestyle measures,' she says. Generally, Singh tells patients that eating healthy means not getting takeout from fast food joints every day. 'No deep fried foods, no alcohol, no smoking, no ultra-processed foods, and no or minimal red meat,' she adds. Similar to smoking, Singh explains that the extra oil in deep-fried foods deposits in the walls of blood vessels and contributes to the narrowing of arteries. 'It can ultimately lead to decreased blood flow and make these organs unhappy and cause symptoms and heart disease and stroke,' she says. She also says researchers are currently studying how ultra-processed foods can affect your risk of heart disease and stroke. So, what should you eat? 'Eat as much natural, organic, green, healthy, leafy greens, vegetables and fruits [as possible] and get all of that in your system while you're exercising and having a smoke-free, alcohol-free life," the doctor says. Maintaining a healthy weight is another way to lower your risk of stroke. It's worth noting, Singh says, that these changes don't have to happen overnight. "Even if you take small, incremental steps, your risk of stroke will lower over time as you pursue a healthier lifestyle," she says. More than three in 10 Canadians cannot name any of the signs of stroke, according to the latest Heart and Stroke poll results. It's important to recognize the signs of stroke so you can act quickly. FAST is a simple way to remember the 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.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Want to prevent a stroke? 5 simple, everyday lifestyle changes you should make, according to a doctor
Nearly 900,000 Canadian adults have experienced a stroke — a disease that affects blood flow to, and within, the brain and damages brain cells. With June being Stroke Month, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada is raising awareness about the disease, its risk factors and myths. And, while many factors influence stroke risk — including things you can't change, like genetics, age and sex — certain lifestyle changes can lower your risk of stroke. In fact, 80 per cent of strokes are preventable. However, according to a 2023 poll, 7 in 10 Canadians don't understand the risk factors for stroke and heart disease. It can be hard to fix what you don't understand. With this in mind, Yahoo Canada spoke to Dr. Nishita Singh. She's a stroke neurologist, assistant professor at the University of Manitoba and the Heart and Stroke and Research Manitoba chair in clinical stroke research. Here, Singh shares her advice on how to decrease stroke risk by making lifestyle changes and embracing healthy habits. First, an important reminder: 'Stroke can happen at any age, and the risk of stroke increases as people get older,' Singh says. While 80 per cent of all strokes happen to those over the age of 60, it's important to note that younger people can — and do — have strokes. 'It's really important that you keep your heart and brain healthy,' Singh says. 'That's what would prevent stroke and heart disease, and it all begins with understanding your risk and knowing what you can do to manage them.' [Simple habits] can make a remarkable difference when it comes to decreasing your risk of stroke and heart disease in the Nishita Singh The good news is, healthy lifestyle behaviours can be very effective in lowering your stroke risk. 'These simple habits are, of course, easier for some than others," the doctor continues. "But they can make a remarkable difference when it comes to decreasing your risk of stroke and heart disease in the future.' Singh and other doctors advise patients to aim for 10,000 steps per day. If you're not doing any kind of physical activity each day, Singh says you should start — whether you're in your 20s or 60s — or even older. 'It's never too late to start any kind of physical activity,' she says. Can't hit 10,000 steps? That's OK. Any exercise is better than nothing, Singh notes. 'There is a cumulative benefit when it comes to physical activity, so even if you start with 2,000 steps a day or 5,000 steps a day, that's also good,' she explains. As a benchmark, the Heart and Stroke Foundation suggests people get in 150 minutes of exercise per week, which is about 20 minutes each day. And it doesn't have to be hitting the gym or lifting weights. Singh says it can be as simple as walking. Smoking is one of the biggest risk factors for both heart disease and stroke, Singh says. 'It is also one of the most challenging things to do at a personal level when it comes to quitting.' Smoking causes stickiness in your blood cells, making them clump together more easily — and more likely to form clots. Smoking can also lead to deposition of cholesterol plaques, which can cause narrowing of the arteries in the heart, the brain and throughout your body. 'That can lead to symptoms of heart disease, heart attack or stroke,' Singh explains. The same goes for e-cigarettes and vaping. If you're thinking about quitting, Singh says it doesn't have to be an 'all or nothing' mindset. 'Just start with taking baby steps — there's a cumulative benefit there as well," she says. Experts generally recommend limiting alcohol intake for heart health. In fact, the World Heart Federation says that even moderate alcohol consumption can harm cardiovascular health, and Health Canada's guidelines to limit alcohol consumption to no more than two drinks per week align with this. 'There's a lot of recent data which actually strongly supports that no alcohol is the best way to protect yourself from heart disease or stroke,' Singh says. 'Currently, you should abstain from alcohol completely to prevent any further risk.' It's one of the most commonly asked questions Singh gets: What exactly should I be eating as part of a healthy diet? 'It's really about conscious eating and conscious lifestyle measures,' she says. Generally, Singh tells patients that eating healthy means not getting takeout from fast food joints every day. 'No deep fried foods, no alcohol, no smoking, no ultra-processed foods, and no or minimal red meat,' she adds. Similar to smoking, Singh explains that the extra oil in deep-fried foods deposits in the walls of blood vessels and contributes to the narrowing of arteries. 'It can ultimately lead to decreased blood flow and make these organs unhappy and cause symptoms and heart disease and stroke,' she says. She also says researchers are currently studying how ultra-processed foods can affect your risk of heart disease and stroke. So, what should you eat? 'Eat as much natural, organic, green, healthy, leafy greens, vegetables and fruits [as possible] and get all of that in your system while you're exercising and having a smoke-free, alcohol-free life," the doctor says. Maintaining a healthy weight is another way to lower your risk of stroke. It's worth noting, Singh says, that these changes don't have to happen overnight. "Even if you take small, incremental steps, your risk of stroke will lower over time as you pursue a healthier lifestyle," she says. More than three in 10 Canadians cannot name any of the signs of stroke, according to the latest Heart and Stroke poll results. It's important to recognize the signs of stroke so you can act quickly. FAST is a simple way to remember the 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.
Cision Canada
4 days ago
- Health
- Cision Canada
What you don't know about stroke may surprise you Français
Heart & Stroke shares five essential facts everyone should know this Stroke Month TORONTO, June 3, 2025 /CNW/ - June is Stroke Month and Heart & Stroke is sharing five facts everyone should know about stroke – but probably doesn't. More than 108,000 strokes occur every year in Canada and yet, more than one-third of Canadians don't know the most common signs of stroke* and seven in 10 Canadians don't understand the risk factors for stroke and heart disease**. "This Stroke Month we are raising awareness to help people in Canada better understand stroke, take steps to prevent it, and recognize the signs and know what to do," says Katie White, director of health systems, Heart & Stroke. "Knowing this information can save lives." Five Surprising Facts About Stroke 1. Stroke can happen at any age While stroke risk increases as people get older, stroke can happen to anyone. Young adults, babies and young children can all have strokes. In fact, risk of stroke in children is greatest in the weeks surrounding their birth; every day in Canada one baby has a stroke during this critical time and more than 10,000 children are living with stroke. 2. Stroke is on the rise — but more people survive A stroke now occurs roughly every five minutes in Canada. Our aging population is a big reason for the increase, but more younger people are also having strokes. This is linked to increases in risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. In fact, about one in 20 strokes in Canada occurs in people under the age of 45, according to Heart & Stroke funded research, and emerging evidence points to young women being at higher risk than young men. The number of people surviving stroke has increased over the past several decades and now almost one million people in Canada are living with stroke. "Before I had my stroke, I thought only older people could get them. I had no idea that I was even able to have one," says Samantha Gomez. The former Mrs. Universe Canada experienced a severe ischemic stroke at only 23 years old. 3. Stroke is linked to heart health "The heart can affect the brain, the brain can affect the heart, and they can both be affected by other processes in the body" says Dr. Thalia Field, a stroke neurologist, professor of medicine at the University of British Columbia and a Heart & Stroke-funded researcher. Heart conditions like heart failure, congenital heart disease and atrial fibrillation can increase the risk of stroke – sometimes dramatically – and stroke can increase the risk of heart conditions including cardiac arrest. This is because the heart and brain are connected by the vascular system – a network of vessels that carry blood and oxygen throughout the body. Ken Wong, a television producer, father and avid runner was in his 40s when he had a stroke. Tests eventually revealed that Ken was born with a small hole between the upper chambers in his heart, called a patent foramen ovale (PFO) which can increase the risk of stroke caused by a clot. "That's not necessarily why I had a stroke, but that could be the reason," Ken recalls. "Learning that was like a kind of resolution; a bit of relief." 4. Stroke can be prevented Up to 80% of premature stroke and heart disease can be prevented by embracing healthy habits like eating a healthy diet, being active and living smoke-free. This is harder for some people than others because of factors like their financial situation, where they live and other inequities. And some risk factors like age, sex and family history cannot be changed. 5. Knowing the FAST stroke signs saves lives Recognizing the signs of stroke and acting quickly can mean the difference between life and death, or between a better recovery and a lasting disability. FAST is an easy and memorable way to remember the major signs of stroke: F Face, is it drooping? A Arms, can you raise them? S Speech, is it slurred or jumbled? T Time to call 9-1-1 right away Since launching the FAST campaign in 2014, the number of Canadians who can name at least two FAST signs of stroke has doubled. But despite this progress more needs to be done to increase awareness, and recognition varies across the country. "There have been immense improvements in awareness, diagnosis, treatment and recovery, but stroke is still a leading cause of death and adult disability," says Doug Roth, CEO, Heart & Stroke. "This Stroke Month we invite everyone in Canada to join us as we continue to take action to beat stroke." * National, bilingual online poll of 3824 Canadian residents 18 years and older, carried out November 13, 2024 – December 17, 2024 by Environics Research Group. ** National, bilingual online poll of 2003 Canadian residents 18 years and older, carried out May 29 - June 9 2023 by Environics Research Group. For more information: Backgrounder Download the FAST signs of stroke More information about stroke About Heart & Stroke Life. We don't want you to miss it. That's why Heart & Stroke has been leading the fight to beat heart disease and stroke for more than 70 years. We must generate the next medical breakthroughs, so Canadians don't miss out on precious moments. Together, with the generous support of our donors, partners and volunteers we are working to prevent disease, save lives and promote recovery through research, health promotion and public policy. @HeartandStroke
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
What you don't know about stroke may surprise you
Heart & Stroke shares five essential facts everyone should know this Stroke Month TORONTO, June 3, 2025 /CNW/ - June is Stroke Month and Heart & Stroke is sharing five facts everyone should know about stroke – but probably doesn't. More than 108,000 strokes occur every year in Canada and yet, more than one-third of Canadians don't know the most common signs of stroke* and seven in 10 Canadians don't understand the risk factors for stroke and heart disease**. "This Stroke Month we are raising awareness to help people in Canada better understand stroke, take steps to prevent it, and recognize the signs and know what to do," says Katie White, director of health systems, Heart & Stroke. "Knowing this information can save lives." Five Surprising Facts About Stroke 1. Stroke can happen at any ageWhile stroke risk increases as people get older, stroke can happen to anyone. Young adults, babies and young children can all have strokes. In fact, risk of stroke in children is greatest in the weeks surrounding their birth; every day in Canada one baby has a stroke during this critical time and more than 10,000 children are living with stroke. 2. Stroke is on the rise — but more people surviveA stroke now occurs roughly every five minutes in Canada. Our aging population is a big reason for the increase, but more younger people are also having strokes. This is linked to increases in risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. In fact, about one in 20 strokes in Canada occurs in people under the age of 45, according to Heart & Stroke funded research, and emerging evidence points to young women being at higher risk than young number of people surviving stroke has increased over the past several decades and now almost one million people in Canada are living with stroke. "Before I had my stroke, I thought only older people could get them. I had no idea that I was even able to have one," says Samantha Gomez. The former Mrs. Universe Canada experienced a severe ischemic stroke at only 23 years old. 3. Stroke is linked to heart health"The heart can affect the brain, the brain can affect the heart, and they can both be affected by other processes in the body" says Dr. Thalia Field, a stroke neurologist, professor of medicine at the University of British Columbia and a Heart & Stroke-funded conditions like heart failure, congenital heart disease and atrial fibrillation can increase the risk of stroke – sometimes dramatically – and stroke can increase the risk of heart conditions including cardiac arrest. This is because the heart and brain are connected by the vascular system – a network of vessels that carry blood and oxygen throughout the Wong, a television producer, father and avid runner was in his 40s when he had a stroke. Tests eventually revealed that Ken was born with a small hole between the upper chambers in his heart, called a patent foramen ovale (PFO) which can increase the risk of stroke caused by a clot. "That's not necessarily why I had a stroke, but that could be the reason," Ken recalls. "Learning that was like a kind of resolution; a bit of relief." 4. Stroke can be preventedUp to 80% of premature stroke and heart disease can be prevented by embracing healthy habits like eating a healthy diet, being active and living smoke-free. This is harder for some people than others because of factors like their financial situation, where they live and other inequities. And some risk factors like age, sex and family history cannot be changed. 5. Knowing the FAST stroke signs saves lives Recognizing the signs of stroke and acting quickly can mean the difference between life and death, or between a better recovery and a lasting disability. FAST is an easy and memorable way to remember the major signs of stroke: F Face, is it drooping? A Arms, can you raise them? S Speech, is it slurred or jumbled? T Time to call 9-1-1 right away Since launching the FAST campaign in 2014, the number of Canadians who can name at least two FAST signs of stroke has doubled. But despite this progress more needs to be done to increase awareness, and recognition varies across the country. "There have been immense improvements in awareness, diagnosis, treatment and recovery, but stroke is still a leading cause of death and adult disability," says Doug Roth, CEO, Heart & Stroke. "This Stroke Month we invite everyone in Canada to join us as we continue to take action to beat stroke." *National, bilingual online poll of 3824 Canadian residents 18 years and older, carried out November 13, 2024 – December 17, 2024 by Environics Research Group.** National, bilingual online poll of 2003 Canadian residents 18 years and older, carried out May 29 - June 9 2023 by Environics Research Group. For more information: Backgrounder Download the FAST signs of stroke More information about stroke About Heart & Stroke Life. We don't want you to miss it. That's why Heart & Stroke has been leading the fight to beat heart disease and stroke for more than 70 years. We must generate the next medical breakthroughs, so Canadians don't miss out on precious moments. Together, with the generous support of our donors, partners and volunteers we are working to prevent disease, save lives and promote recovery through research, health promotion and public policy. @HeartandStroke SOURCE Heart and Stroke Foundation View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
