Posts Tagged ‘Strokes’

By Barret Prochyshyn.  Recorded by the nice people at 730 CKDM, The Parkland’s Best Music

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By Barret Procyshyn, Pharmacist at the Dauphin Clinic Pharmacy

Last week I had the opportunity to write about strokes. I spoke about how important it is to try to minimize your risk of a stroke by not smoking, eating a proper diet and living an active lifestyle. It is also very important to recognize the signs of a stroke, which are weakness, trouble speaking, vision problems, headache and severe dizziness.

Even though we know enormous amounts of information on strokes it can still be extremely hard to predict. However, there is an event called a “mini-stroke” or a transient ischemic attack, which often strikes a patient before they have a major stroke. The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada reports over 15 000 people in Canada every year experience a transient ischemic attack or TIA. They also report that many go unreported so it is an underestimated statistic.

A TIA or “mini stroke” occurs when there is a temporary interruption of blow flow to the brain. This is due to a clot or plaque on the artery stopping blood flow and therefore fresh oxygen to the brain. Plaque is a buildup of cholesterol and fatty substances on the artery wall. Think of your artery as plumbing; if you narrow the size of the plumbing pressure increases, along with the risk of a blockage and flow can decrease. Plaque can also break off and causes blockages.

A TIA will produce the same symptoms of a stroke, except they reside within a few minutes or hours. Due to the symptoms being short lived and often fairly mild, many people have had a TIA without knowing it.

Some may ask why a TIA is significant if the symptoms are only temporary. They are significant because they act as a warning sign of a full blown stroke. A TIA should also be considered an emergency. Call 911 immediately. Sometimes the clot causing a TIA can do further damage, so clot “busting” medications are required. Treatment options are extremely time-sensitive so it is important for quick medical attention.

TIAs and strokes can be treated or prevented with blood thinners. There are a variety of blood thinners on the market. The most popular is Aspirin 81 mg, commonly referred to as “baby aspirin”. It is available with or without a prescription, but you should always consult your physician to see whether you need to be taking aspirin. It can be an extremely good investment, costing approximately $3.00 per month. If you have had previous cardiac health problems or even a stroke you may be on prescription blood thinners such as warfarin or Plavix. There are new blood thinners on the market so talk to one of your clinic pharmacists for more information.

Other important medications which can reduce strokes or a TIA are blood pressure pills, cholesterol pills and diabetes medications to control sugar levels. It is important to keep blood pressure low to not cause stress on the heart or any of the arteries. Cholesterol pills help prevent plaque buildup on the arteries. Cholesterol pills and blood pressure pills are sometimes difficult to take because we do not feel or notice any benefit from them. However; they are working around the clock to keep your heart and vascular system healthy. Of course diet and lifestyle changes are the best choice you can make to prevent strokes, but once again we often do not adhere to the necessary changes.

So if you have a TIA or even think you have had a TIA, seek medical attention. There is more than likely no problem. However, it can potentially help you prevent a problem. It can help you prevent a stroke and the unfortunate devastation a stroke causes.

The information in this article is intended as a helpful guide only.  It is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional advice.  If you have any questions about your medications and what is right for you see your doctor, pharmacist or other health care professional.

We now have this and most other articles published in the Parkland Shopper on our Website.  Please visit us at www.dcp.ca

By Barret Procyshyn, Pharmacist at the Dauphin Clinic Pharmacy

I’ve seen the devastating effects of strokes way too many times. Whether it has been a family member, a friend, or a patient it is always very sad to see the lasting effects from a stroke. Strokes are the third leading cause of death in Canada killing approximately 14 000 Canadians per year. The Heart and Stroke Foundation also reports there are 50 000 strokes in Canada each year. That works out to a stroke in Canada every 10 minutes. Of every 100 people that have a stroke, 15 die, 10 require long term care and 40 are left with a moderate to sever disability. Only 10 people recover completely and 25 have minor impairment.

About 80% of strokes are caused due to an interruption of blood flow to the brain because of a clot. Strokes caused by a clot are called ischemic strokes and there are two different types of ischemic strokes. Thrombotic strokes occur when a clot forms in an artery leading directly to the brain. An embolic stroke occurs when a clot forms, breaks off and then travels through the blood stream toward the brain. It interferes with blood going to the brain as the arteries become smaller. A stroke occurs when oxygen rich blood being supplied to the brain stops. Without oxygen brain cells begin to die very quickly. If oxygen is not restored certain areas of the brain begin to die, leading to disability or death. The other 20% of strokes are hemorrhagic, which occur when a blood vessel breaks in the brain.

Strokes can be prevented in many ways. Factors which increase your risk of a stroke are being overweight, smoking, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, poor diet and uncontrolled diabetes. Things which can contribute to stroke such as stress, alcohol consumption and inactivity can also be controlled. We all know Canadians can do a better job as this! We need to not start smoking, stop smoking and be more active. It is amazing the results diet and regular exercise can have; however, few of us actually make it a regular part of our lives when we are told we need to change our lifestyle. There are some risks for stroke which you cannot control. This includes family history, age and gender.

Recognizing a stroke and getting treatment quickly is crucial. The Heart and Stroke Foundation reports that for every minute delay in treating a stroke there is a loss of 1.9 million brain cells and 12 km of axonal fiber, which is like  computer cables in our brain to send information. The main warning signs of a stroke are very important to remember.  Weakness, including numbness in the arm or leg, even if temporary, is a sign of stroke. Trouble speaking, sudden vision problems, severe or unusual headache and dizziness or a sudden loss of balance are all included as the main warning signs.

If you think someone may be having a stroke call 911. Do not waste time quizzing or testing the patient to see if they are having a stroke. Time is too valuable. If you live alone and were to have a stroke, would you be able to get help quickly? Perhaps it would be good to invest in a Lifeline system so you could get help when needed. Dauphin has their own Lifeline program. Simply you wear a help button around your wrist or neck. If you have a problem you only have to press a button and via your phone line, assistance will be provided. There is also a new system called Autoalert, so you do not even need to press a button in an emergency. Autoalert automatically recognizes if you need help. For more information about the Dauphin Lifeline program please call the Seniors Centre at 638-6485.

Next weeks article will focus on TIAs, more commonly known as “mini strokes”.

The information in this article is intended as a helpful guide only.  It is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional advice.  If you have any questions about your medications and what is right for you see your doctor, pharmacist or other health care professional.

We now have this and most other articles published in the Parkland Shopper on our Website.  Please visit us at www.dcp.ca