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Stroke
Stroke prevention is aimed at identifying high-risk patients
and reducing risk factors.
Nikkie (Virginia V.) Pora,
Ontario Regional Cancer Centre
(OGH Division), Ottawa, ON
Stroke occurs in about 50,000 Canadians each year and is a leading
cause of death and disability in adults. Awareness of the warning
signs of stroke and early treatment in a hospital emergency department
(within 6 hours of onset of symptoms) can improve the chances
of survival and reduce permanent brain damage.
A stroke is a brain injury caused by an interruption of blood
flow to the brain. It is caused by a blocked blood vessel in
the brain or when a blood vessel in or around the brain bursts
or hemorrhages. When blood flow is interrupted, nerve cells in
the surround areas begin to die. Without immediate treatment,
the cells will continue to die over the next few hours.
The symptoms of stroke vary according to location of the damaged
nerve cells in the brain, how much of the brain is damaged and
how soon treatment is begun, Therefore, the effects of stroke
can be slight or severe, and can affect movement, balance, speech,
emotions, and memory.
A temporary interruption of blood flow to the brain, often lasting
only a few minutes, is called a transient ischemic attack (TIA),
a warning sign of a stroke. The symptoms of a TIA are:
- sudden weakness, numbness or tingling of the face, arm or
leg
- temporary loss of speech or to rouble understanding speech
- sudden loss of vision, particularly in one eye or double
vision
- sudden sever and unusual headaches
- unsteadiness or sudden falls, especially with any of the
above signs
If you have any of these signs, seed medical attention immediately.
Factors that increase the risk of stroke
- Age: older adults
- Sex: males
- Race: African-Americans, because of a higher incidence of
high blood pressure
- Diabetes: especially in women
- A previous stroke
- A family history of stroke
- Heart disease
- An irregular heart beat (atrial fibrillation)
Risk factors that can be modified
- High blood pressure
- High blood cholesterol
- Obesity
- A sedentary lifestyle
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol intake
How to reduce risk
- Get regular medical care, especially if you are at high risk
for stroke or have had a stroke.
- Check your blood pressure regularly. Controlling high blood
pressure is the best way to prevent stroke.
- Reduce the other risk factors than can be modified.
- Learn to recognize the warning signs of stroke.
Visit the Heart and Stroke Foundation at www.heartandstroke.ca
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The information in this newsletter was prepared and reviewed
by pharmacists for the Canadian Pharmaceutical Journal.
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Ask Your Pharmacist newsletter is produced through
an unconditional educational grant from APOTEX/PACE. |
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