The Heart and Stroke Foundation is highlighting advancements in stroke research. (Photo: Heart and Stroke Foundation)

By Drew Stremick

Heart and Stroke Foundation highlight milestones and awareness this month

Jun 5, 2022 | 3:15 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – June is Stroke Awareness Month, and this year the Heart and Stroke Foundation is focussed on celebrating how far stroke-related care has progressed.

Samantha Berscht is the Director of Health Policy with the Heart and Stroke Foundation. She says it’s important to highlight stroke research.

“This year we’re really trying to highlight breakthroughs, looking at milestones, really focusing on how far stroke care has come,” said Berscht. “Even 30-40 years ago, when we really didn’t have anything that could be done to treat or support people who have had a stroke.”

One campaign that the Heart and Stroke Foundation hopes the majority of people will remember is the F.A.S.T acronym.

“The F.A.S.T acronym to recognize signs of stroke is so important,” Berschet said. “F.A.S.T. ‘F’ stands for face, so if somebody’s face is drooping. ‘A’ is arms. Can you raise both your arms in the air? And ‘S” is speech. Does it sound slurred or jumbled? ‘T’ is time. When we’re talking about strokes, time is so important. Time to call 911 right away, don’t hesitate if you recognize those face, arm, and speech symptoms.”

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Important signs of a stroke. (Photo: Heart and Stroke Foundation)

According to Berscht, anyone can have a stroke at any age; however, the rate at which strokes happen starts to creep up as people get older.

Berscht says being knowledgable about your family’s history when it comes to strokes is one way to be prepared, but there are other things you can do to reduce the risk.

“We know now there’s a whole list of things you can control that will impact your risk,” said Berscht. “The biggest one for stroke is blood pressure. Get your blood pressure checked, know what’s normal, know what’s normal for you, and get it checked regularly so you and your doctor can catch it, if it is starting to creep up.”

Berscht also mentioned other general health tips that play a part, such as quitting smoking, eating healthier, and maintaining an active lifestyle.

Stroke research is continually reaching new heights. Berscht says that over the decades, the severe outcomes and rates of individuals suffering disabilities after experiencing a stroke have come down significantly.

“We’ve got amazing researchers, and we’ve got ongoing projects all the time that are continuing to improve treatment,” said Berscht. “The clot busting medication that somebody would get when they go to the hospital; those are constantly being improved.”

One of the most recent advancements in stroke treatment was developed right here in Alberta.

“Endovascular therapy was actually pioneered by a group at Foothills Hospital,” Berschet explained. “Dr. Mike Hill, along with the stroke team at Foothills, essentially looked into this treatment, where they were using sort of a stenting system to go in and actually remove the clot.”

Across Canada, Berscht says around 90,000 people suffer from strokes each year, including almost 9,000 here in Alberta. Also, according to Statistics Canada, Cerebrovascular diseases, which include strokes, are fourth on the list of leading causes of death in Canada.

To read more about the latest stroke research and how you can help, visit the Heart and Stroke Foundation website.