Thursday, March 28, 2024

Timer

New stroke guidelines

First Published:

[projekktor id=’16890′]

A new campaign by the Heart and Stroke Foundation hopes to get people to act fast in reacting to someone with a potential heart attack or stroke.

They’ve changed the guidelines for spotting a stroke to encourage more victims to take immediate action.

The previous guidelines were a bit tough to remember, so they’re hoping this new acronym will be easier. And they’ve created a video to help them stick.

If you’re having a stroke, your world dissolves around you.

Watching the symptoms on video, they may seem obvious.

But according to Hamilton General Hospital Neurologist, Dr. Sashi Perera, only 30% of stroke victims go to the hospital in time: “Time lost is brain lost. Because the longer you wait for treatment, the more damage you are going to get in the brain.”

If you’re having a stroke you have about 3 to 4 hours to get to the hospital for treatment. Otherwise, you risk permanent brain damage.

Dr. Perera: “It’s not just minor disability. You could be bedridden, you can’t move one side, you can’t communicate with your loved ones.”

That’s why the Heart and Stroke Foundation has released new guidelines for spotting a stroke.

Act F-A-S-T:

Is your FACE drooping?

Can you raise both ARMS?

Is your SPEECH slurred or jumbled?

A ‘yes’ to any of these questions means that it’s TIME to call 911 immediately because your symptoms may be stroke related.

Dr. Perera: “More than 90 per cent of the patients we see will have either weakness of the face, arm or trouble speaking.”

Many strokes can be treated with a clot busting drug that restores blood flow to the brain. And the sooner it can be delivered, the more likely you are to fully recover.

So if a possible stroke victim is reluctant to visit the hospital, remind them what those extra hours can cost.

Dr. Perera says the E.R. sees a spike in stroke visits on Boxing Day, because a lot of people think they can wait until after the holidays. But if you have had a stroke, that extra time may could cause irreversible damage.

More Top News

Date set for inquest into death of man during Halton police shootout in 2018

A provincial coroner has set a date for an inquest into a man's death after a shootout with Halton police almost six years ago. Ahmadu...

Newsmakers: Preparing for the 2024 total solar eclipse with amateur astronomer Mario Carr

VIDEO: On this episode of Newsmakers, host Louie Butko is joined by "your favourite amateur astronomer" Mario Carr ahead of the total solar eclipse...

Sportsline: Hamilton Cardinals game-day host Emily Thompson

VIDEO: The role of the "in-game host" has become an important piece of the entertainment package that teams are selling to fans. On this...

St. Catharines man charged with 1st-degree murder in death of parents

A man is facing first-degree murder charges in connection with the death of his parents at a home in St. Catharines Monday afternoon. Emergency crews...

Ontario minimum wage to increase Oct. 1 to $17.20 an hour

Ontario's minimum wage will rise later this year to $17.20 an hour. The annual Oct. 1 increase is tied to inflation and is a boost...

Over 300K public sector workers earn more than $100K; OPG CEO tops the list

The five top paid public employees in the province are all at Ontario Power Generation, with the CEO earning $1.9 million last year. The so-called...