Did you know that approximately every five minutes, someone in Canada suffers from stroke? Stroke is a medical emergency resulting in a sudden loss of brain function. A stroke is caused by an interference of blood flow to the brain, due to a blood clot, narrowing of a blood vessel or artery rupture.
When someone experiences a stroke, brain cells are deprived of oxygen and other key nutrients, causing the cells to die and potentially resulting in permanent brain damage, paralysis, long-term disability and even death. The sooner someone gets treatment, the less damage may be done. This is why timely diagnosis and treatment play a critical role in stroke patient outcomes. Time is brain.
Sunnybrook is one of Ontario’s regional stroke centres and home for the North and East Greater Toronto Area Stroke Network. Our dedicated interprofessional stroke team care for patients across the spectrum of stroke recovery, including emergency and inpatient care, rehabilitation and prevention.
We spoke with Dr. Rick Swartz, Neurologist at Sunnybrook and medical director of the North and East Greater Toronto Area Stroke Network, to learn more about stroke and the importance of seeking help as soon as possible.
Recognizing stroke symptoms FAST
The Heart & Stroke Foundation introduced the acronym FAST as a way to remember the key signs of stroke.
- Face: Is the mouth or lower half drooping?
- Arms: Can you raise them both?
- Speech: Is it slurred or jumbled?
- Time to call 9-1-1.
If you or a loved one experience any FAST symptoms, it is important to call 9-1-1 immediately. Don’t try to sleep it off and don’t drive yourself. Calling 9-1-1 is the best way for an ambulance to take you where you need to go for urgent stroke care. The sooner you receive stroke care, the better chance of recovery.
What are the different types of stroke?
There are two types of stroke; ischemic (clot) and hemorrhagic (bleeding). Ischemic stroke is the most common type of stroke and occurs when there is an interference with blood flow to the brain, usually caused by a blood clot or narrowing blood vessels. Hemmorhagic stroke, commonly referred to as a brain bleed, occurs when an artery or vessel ruptures and bleeds into the surrounding brain. A common cause of brain bleeds could be long term high blood pressure or head trauma (traumatic brain injury).
What are some risk factors of stroke?
It is important to know that anyone can experience a stroke, regardless of age, sex or race. However, there are some factors, such as smoking, inactivity, unhealthy weight or diet and alcohol consumption, that can increase your risk of stroke. Many of these risk factors are modifiable, and making small lifestyle changes can help reduce your risk.
Individuals with other health conditions like high blood pressure and cholesterol, diabetes, atrial fibrillation and some forms of cancer are also at a higher risk. These conditions can result in the narrowing of arteries or the formation of clots/blockages, which could interfere with blood flow to the brain.
Your risk of stroke also increases as you age. Women are also at a higher risk, especially those who have experienced menopause or pre-eclampsia.
Stroke and stroke care is different for everyone, and the interprofessional stroke team at Sunnybrook is dedicated to making sure patients with stroke receive the timely and compassionate care they need.
More resources for stroke:
- To learn more about stroke, visit Toronto Stroke Networks.
- Visit our MyCare Stroke Care Pathway to learn more about what stroke care at Sunnybrook looks like.
- Sunnybrook is home to the North and East Greater Toronto Area Stroke Network, learn more about our Regional Secondary Stroke Prevention Clinic.
