Are you at risk?

By Penny Pitcher

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in British Columbia and the leading cause of severe long-term disability. In 2008-2009, 4,526 adults were hospitalized after a stroke. Within a year, a third of them had died. The tragedy lies in the fact that 80% of strokes ARE preventable.

There are three main types of strokes that involve adults: Ischemic Stroke, Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA or mini-stroke), and Hemorrhagic Stroke.

About 80% of strokes are Ischemic and occur when a blood clot stops the flow of blood to the brain. Usually the arteries that supply blood to the brain have become narrow because of a buildup of plaque. Sometimes the clot forms in an artery leading directly to the brain. Other times, the clot forms somewhere else in the body and then travels through the blood stream to the brain.

Let us look more closely at a Transient Ischemic Attack. Also known as a mini-stroke, it is caused by a temporary interruption of blood flow to the brain. The warning signs are similar to an Ischemic Stroke EXCEPT for the fact that they disappear within a few minutes or hours. People can have a mini-stroke without even realizing it. In spite of that, it is STILL a medical emergency and while a TIA is a critical warning sign that there is an increased risk of a full-blown stroke, it also provides an opportunity to prevent a stroke

Even if stroke symptoms are mild, it is important to seek immediate medical attention although you may not be admitted to hospital. The risk of a major stroke is very high in the 24 hours after a TIA - and, in fact, up to one year later. The symptoms can be subtle which is why people often ignore them:

• Weakness or numbness in face, arm, or leg, particularly on one side of the body

• Confusion

• Difficulty speaking or understanding

• Dizziness, loss of balance or co-ordination

• Blurred Vision

• Emotional Outburst

• Sudden severe headache

It is sometimes difficult for doctors to know if you have had a TIA because by the time you actually see a doctor, the symptoms have usually disappeared. The main goal of obtaining treatment is to prevent having another TIA or, indeed, an Ischemic Stroke.

The way to reach this goal is to reduce the risk factors. While some of these are beyond your control, you can manage others through a healthy lifestyle, taking prescribed medications, or having surgery. Doctors may prescribe two main types of medication to treat TIAs - antiplatelets or anticoagulants (blood thinners). They prevent or destroy blood clots and can lower the risk of stroke in people who have already had TIAs. Your doctor may also prescribe medication to control blood pressure and lower cholesterol.

If you have had a mini-stroke, you need to find out what effect the stroke has had. A stroke damages the brain and causes a sudden loss of brain function. Because your brain controls everything you say, do, and think, a stroke can have many different effects. Some people are unable to use public transportation as everything is now in 3D. Loud noises can cause a panic attack. Frustration reaches an all time high because things that one once did so easily, now require thought. It may be difficult to form sentences and certain letters may be slurred. Some people repeat their full name over and over every few hours knowing that if their tongue feels thick and they can't pronounce their name, they have had another TIA. You'll also want to know what kind of recovery you can expect, what you can do to prevent a recurrence, and where to go to access support.

There is a wealth of information available at