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Canadians Encouraged to Recognize Stroke and Act Quickly to Save Lives MISSISSAUGA, ON -- May 9, 2005 -- Would you be able to recognize if someone next to you was having a stroke? Your answer could significantly change the outcome for someone having a stroke. Data published in tomorrow's Canadian Medical Association Journal suggest that people suffering an acute ischemic stroke have a limited time window to receive medical attention. If they are successful at getting to a hospital, diagnosed and treated within three hours, their chances of returning to a fully functioning life is greatly increased. "When appropriately administered, we know that treatment with clot-busting stroke drugs can significantly reduce the disability from stroke allowing patients to return to a 'normal' life," said Dr. Frank Silver, Director, University Health Network Stroke Program. "But the first significant hurdle is getting that stroke patient to an appropriate hospital setting as quickly as possible and that responsibility starts with Canadians." Currently, provincial governments have implemented stroke strategies in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Nova Scotia. Other provinces are also being examined for future implementation. These strategies vary from province to province but all include public education as well as approaches for medical professionals to follow when treating stroke patients. About Stroke Stroke is now considered to be a treatable disorder when caught in the acute (early) stages. Symptoms of stroke can appear suddenly and can be easily overlooked. Early warning signs of a stroke include: § Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg on one side of the body § Sudden dimness or loss of vision, particularly in one eye § Loss of speech or trouble talking or understanding speech § Sudden, severe headaches with no apparent cause § Unexplained dizziness, unsteadiness, or sudden falls, especially along with any of the previous symptoms If someone is showing any of these symptoms, people should help them seek immediate medical attention by calling 911 or getting the potential stroke victim to an emergency room and clearly explaining their symptoms to medical professionals. Someone suffering a stroke may not act on their symptoms if left on their own. A stroke can have a wide variety of effects, depending on the severity and type of stroke. It can affect an individual's ability to: § Move and coordinate movement § Feel touch, temperature, pain and movement § See or to interpret what you see § Think, remember, understand, plan, reason or solve problems § Communicate As well, stroke can affect personality, emotions and behaviour. Stroke in Canada Every year there are between 40,000 and 50,000 strokes in Canada. Of those strokes, 16,000 have resulted in death. Stroke affects women slightly more often than men, and generally at an older age (70 and 65 years, respectively). Currently, there are approximately 300,000 people in Canada living with the effects of stroke. Stroke currently costs the Canadian healthcare system $2.7 billion annually but is on the rise as the number of strokes in this country is expected to increase by 60 per cent as the population ages. About Activase® Activase (alteplase) is indicated for the management of acute ischemic stroke in adults for improving neurological recovery and reducing the incidence of disability. Treatment should only be started within three hours after the onset of stroke symptoms, and after the possibility of intracranial hemorrhage has been ruled out. Activase received Health Canada's conditional approval in 1999, with the commitment to conduct additional research of the drug's effectiveness in the real world. This was fulfilled with the CASES Study and full approval was granted January 26, 2005. SOURCE: Hoffmann-La Roche Limited (Roche Canada) E-mail this page to a friend or colleague! To print, use this version