Stroke has a new indicator!

The Heart and Stroke Foundation’s 2014 Report on the Health of Canadians shows more people are surviving heart attacks and strokes, but they face challenges and lack support to thrive to the fullest.New data gathered for the report show:

• Outcomes for stroke patients have improved, and prevention, care and treatment have also improved but the system is about to face more challenges than ever.
• Younger people are having strokes and this trend is expected to continue.
• The population is aging and stroke is age-related.
• Today’s stroke patient is sicker with two-thirds having one or more chronic conditions, making treatment more complex.
• Not enough patients are getting access to the care and rehabilitation they need to have the best possible outcome.
• Coordinated systems are the best way to ensure “the right resources, in the right place, at the right time.”

Although stroke is most common in people over the age of 70, the new data reveal an alarming escalation among those under 70. Over the past decade, strokes in people in their 50s have increased by 24 per cent and, in those in their 60s, by 13 per cent. Even more troubling, recent international studies predict that stroke rates among younger people (ages 24–64), will double in the next 15 years. And as more people get older, there will be more strokes.

You may have seen this before, but as we move ahead into summer a reminder is always a good thing.

 Blood Clots/Stroke - They Now Have a Fourth Indicator, the Tongue:

During a BBQ, a woman stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) ...she said she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes.

They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Jane went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening.

Jane's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00 PM Jane passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Jane would be with us today. Some don't die. They end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.

It only takes a minute to read this.

A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

RECOGNIZING A STROKE

Thank God for the sense to remember the '3' steps, STR. Read and Learn!

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

S *Ask the individual to SMILE.

T *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)
(i.e. Chicken Soup)

R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

New Sign of a Stroke -------- Stick out Your Tongue

NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue. If the tongue is

'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other that is also an indication of a stroke.

They say if you tell this to ten people, you stand a chance of saving one life. Will you tell others or recommend this post?