Stroke in Canada is on the rise

Heart & Stroke funded research examines hospital and emergency department visits

MEDIA RELEASE - A new study funded by Heart & Stroke reveals that annual stroke occurrence rates in Canada have increased to 108,707 – or roughly one every five minutes. This highlights the need for strong stroke care, treatment and recovery systems across the country as well as better prevention.

The analysis, based on hospital administrative data, estimated the number of stroke events resulting in hospital or emergency/urgent care department presentation across Canada in 2017–2018.

“Our study has allowed us to paint the most comprehensive picture of stroke hospital and emergency room visits in Canada,” says Dr. Jessalyn Holodinsky a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Calgary and lead author on the study. “We looked at hospital data from every province and we also did modelling to confirm the numbers and account for areas where was data is missing ”

Age is a risk factor for stroke, and as a large proportion of the population ages the number of strokes has increased and will continue to increase Stroke can happen at any age and more younger people are also having strokes.

“This new data will help inform health systems planning,” says Dr. Michael Hill, Senior Medical Director, Cardiovascular and Stroke SCN at Alberta Health Services and senior author of the study. “As stroke events continue to increase, emergency medical services and hospitals need to be ready to respond to ensure patients receive the right care in a timely way leading to the best outcomes.”

The acute stroke management module of the Heart & Stroke Canadian Stroke Best Practice Recommendations (CSBPR), published today, contain important updates regarding stroke treatments, therapies and other aspects of care.

As more Canadians are surviving stroke the number of Canadians who are living with stroke has increased to 878,000. Stroke is a leading cause of adult disability; half of all people in Canada living with stroke need some help with daily activities such as eating, bathing, dressing, going to the washroom and getting around.

“Hospitals across the country provide excellent acute stroke care,” says Dr. Patrice Lindsay, Director, Health Systems, Heart & Stroke, and one of the authors of the study. “We need to improve access to rehabilitation and other services for people living with stroke and their caregivers, so they have the support they need for the best recovery possible And we need a greater focus on prevention”

Heart & Stroke works with partners across the country to accelerate stroke advancements by funding research, raising awareness, driving change throughout stroke systems of care across the country, and advocating for improvements to health policy.

Aries: March 21 - April 19 (Fire) –This week starts with a whirlwind of emotion and builds from there You are ruled by your emotions so much that you are at risk to react in a dramatic manner You may even just abruptly just end a love relationship Remember to control your dramatic side and you will make it through unscathed.

Taurus: April 20 - May 20 (Earth) –You enter this week feeling like you are healing from a trauma. It is up to you to choose whether you will be exhausted or energized from this surrounding energy. Your career could use a boost, so pick the latter If not, be exhausted with a loved one and a Netflix night

Gemini: May 21 - June 20 (Air) – You have been focused on your career a lot lately This week you can switch this to love and self If you choose love there is a sweetheart waiting for your time If you choose yourself, pick something that relaxes you completely. But since you are always split in two you could benefit by making the time to do both.

Cancer: June 21 – July 22 22 (Water) –You have put a lot of energy into spicing up your love life. Unfortunately it feels like it may have been all for nothing at this point You need to really start asking yourself the harder questions about what is missing? By mid week your focus switches back to your career This is just a distraction method

Leo: July 23 - August 22 (Fire) –

Try and keep the peace You feel unsettled, moody and a bit argumentative This has nothing to do with your career or relationship This is a you problem. Take responsibility for the changes you need to make internally, before you start blaming other people. This week is about personal growth

Virgo: August 23 - September 22 (Earth) – People will be coming to you for guidance. Even if you do not want to, you should make the time to help them out, this will bring some much needed lucky energy into your life Someone you love is feeling underappreciated

Libra: September 23 - October 22 (Air)- Do not bring your emotional drama into any other areas of your life This is already definitely going to bleed into your love life this week Take a couple days to yourself and make a plan for your future that makes sense to you. This emotional turmoil will cause you stress in your career also.

Scorpio: October 23 - November 21 (Water) – You have been done wrong lately, bringing huge trust issues. Do not take out your anger on the people who had nothing to do with betraying you, especially in your career Your career needs you to be focused and positive this week

Sagittarius: November 22December 21 (Fire) – You are torn between spending romantic time with loved ones and being alone You could heal from this by doing one or both of these Work is busy and is taking a lot of your energy, but do not use this as an excuse to not make time for yourself and the people you love the most.

Capricorn: December 22 - January 19 (Earth) – It is important that you ask all the right questions this week You spend this whole week gathering information so that you can make big choices in love and career next week. Make sure you double check all your findings before making any choices, especially in love

Aquarius: January 20 – February 18 (Air) – Taking things to the next level or ending it all together. Make sure you do not make this week an all or nothing week. You may need to consult with someone that you respect to get clarity By the weekend you really need to plan some fun time

Pisces: February 19 - March 20 (Water) – You are tired of being disappointed. So maybe spend this week and try not to surround yourself with people who make you feel this way Put more of this energy into your career and hide away from people that you do not fully trust

with Tina Graziano Energy Reader

Tina Graziano was born an energy reader. She uses her gifts to heal and guide others as a life coach. If you need support and insight in life, contact Tina for an energy reading directly online at https://www.facebook.com/ Tina.Graziano.Energy.Reader /?ref=page_internal