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Tag: Heart and Stroke Canada

  • Stroke Survivor Urges Canadians to Learn Warning Signs as Experts Mark 20 Years of Progress in Stroke Care

    Stroke Survivor Urges Canadians to Learn Warning Signs as Experts Mark 20 Years of Progress in Stroke Care

    A Prince Edward Island stroke survivor is sharing his personal experience to raise awareness about the warning signs of stroke and the importance of acting quickly, as health organizations celebrate two decades of advancements in stroke treatment and recovery across Canada.

    The Canadian Stroke Best Practice Recommendations (CSBPR), launched in 2006 through a partnership between Heart & Stroke and the Canadian Stroke Network, is marking its 20th anniversary. The initiative has played a major role in improving stroke prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation nationwide.

    Heart & Stroke CEO Doug Roth said the evidence-based guidelines have transformed stroke care in Canada, helping improve survival rates and recovery outcomes for thousands of patients.

    “With stroke on the rise, we need to continue to invest in systems change, research and innovation so that people who experience stroke have the best chance of surviving and having the fullest recovery possible,” Roth said.

    Among those benefiting from advances in stroke care is Keith O’Neill of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, who experienced a stroke in March 2022 and now advocates for greater public awareness of stroke symptoms.

    O’Neill recalls finishing work and walking toward his vehicle when he noticed something was wrong. His balance felt unsteady, and shortly after entering his car, his vision began to deteriorate. Recognizing the warning signs, he immediately called his wife and asked her to contact emergency services.

    Although he believed he was clearly explaining his situation, the stroke had already begun affecting his speech.

    “I think I’m having that conversation with her, but she’s only picking up key pieces of my words because I was slurring my speech,” O’Neill said.

    Because of his experience working around the healthcare sector, O’Neill was familiar with the symptoms of stroke and understood the urgency of seeking medical attention. At the time, he was 53 years old and had none of the common risk factors often associated with stroke, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or obesity.

    His experience serves as a reminder that while certain conditions increase risk, stroke can affect anyone. According to Health Canada, the likelihood of experiencing a stroke rises significantly after age 55.

    O’Neill stresses the importance of remembering the FAST acronym, a simple tool used to identify potential stroke symptoms and respond quickly.

    FAST stands for:

    Face: Is one side of the face drooping?

    Arms: Can both arms be raised evenly?

    Speech: Is speech slurred, confused, or difficult to understand?

    Time: Call 911 immediately.

    “Time is crucial,” O’Neill said, emphasizing that rapid medical intervention can significantly improve survival rates and recovery outcomes.

    Health Canada reports that nearly 39 percent of Canadians cannot identify any of the FAST warning signs, highlighting a continuing need for public education.

    In addition to raising awareness, O’Neill underscored the value of continued investment in stroke research. He believes scientific advancements are essential for developing new treatments that can reduce brain damage and improve patient outcomes.

    “It provides science to advance itself so we can find medicines that will help reduce damage in the case of a stroke,” he said. “It’s crucial.”

    He added that research funding benefits not only current patients but future generations who may face similar health challenges.

    As part of his recovery and health routine, O’Neill encourages people to stay physically active through regular walking. He currently walks five to six kilometres after work and believes even small amounts of daily exercise can contribute to better overall health.

    “Whether you’re a first timer at walking, just walk to your mailbox and back home, and then just try to expand it,” he said.

    His message is simple but powerful: know the signs of stroke, act quickly, and make healthy habits part of everyday life.

  • Just 5 Minutes of Daily Exercise Can Lower Blood Pressure, New Study Shows

    Just 5 Minutes of Daily Exercise Can Lower Blood Pressure, New Study Shows

    New research has highlighted a simple way to keep blood pressure in check with minimal daily effort. Just five minutes of stair-climbing or brisk walking each day can help maintain healthy blood pressure levels, according to findings from an international research team, the ProPASS Consortium. This new insight is especially valuable as people face a season of holiday indulgences, when health goals can often take a back seat.

    The study, published in Circulation and led by experts from the University of Sydney and University College London, emphasizes that adding even a small amount of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity to your routine—such as walking uphill, climbing stairs, or any activity that gets your heart rate up—can reduce blood pressure. This research suggests that a short daily habit like stair-climbing in your home or office can have long-term cardiovascular benefits. If you’re able to increase your exercise time to 20 minutes per day, incorporating activities like running, cycling, or other moderate-intensity exercises, the study found this could lead to a clinically significant reduction in blood pressure.

    High blood pressure remains one of the most prevalent health issues globally. According to Heart and Stroke Canada, it is the top risk factor for stroke and a major risk factor for heart failure, putting millions of people worldwide at risk. Yet unlike other major causes of cardiovascular disease, blood pressure can be managed effectively with both medication and simple lifestyle adjustments.

    “Even as little as five extra minutes of exercise per day can contribute to measurably lower blood pressure,” noted the study authors. “This shows the powerful impact of small bouts of exercise in managing blood pressure.” High blood pressure can go unnoticed until a check-up reveals elevated readings, emphasizing the importance of monitoring blood pressure and incorporating habits that help manage it.

    This new study stands out by exploring the effects of real-world, 24-hour movement behaviors on blood pressure, rather than focusing solely on structured exercise routines. The research team collected data from 14,761 participants across five countries, each equipped with an accelerometer on their thigh to measure both physical activity and sedentary behavior. Activities were categorized into sleep, sedentary behavior (like sitting), slow walking, fast walking, standing, and vigorous exercise. This real-time tracking provided insights into how different levels of activity, or simply swapping out sedentary time with short bouts of exercise, can lower blood pressure.

    The researchers concluded that, ideally, people should aim for 20 to 27 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per day, which could reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 28% at the population level. Jo Blodgett, first author from the Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health at UCL, underscored the practicality of the study’s findings: “The good news is that whatever your physical ability, it doesn’t take long to have a positive effect on blood pressure. Our study’s exercise variable includes even small activities, like running for a bus or a short cycling errand, which many people can incorporate into their daily lives.”

    The takeaway? Simple changes, like opting for the stairs or taking a brisk walk, place beneficial demands on the cardiovascular system. Over time, this consistent effort can make a substantial difference in maintaining a healthy blood pressure level.

    Source : Swifteradio.com