The Heart & Stroke Foundation is working hard to ensure more people have more moments.
Life. We don’t want you to miss it.
Every seven minutes in Canada, someone dies from heart disease or stroke, making it a leading cause of death and disability in Canada. For many people,navigating their road to recovery can be fraught with a lot of challenges.
The prevalence of heart disease in B.C. has remained relatively stable over the last 10 years and was about 3.1 per cent in 2011-2012. Improved health behaviours, treatment options and management of illness have all contributed to falling mortality rates due to heart disease in B.C. – from 13.4 per 10,000 people in 2001, to 7.8 per 10,000 people in 2011. But there are still thousands that need support and information.
People in our communities can contact The Heart & Stroke Foundation free phone and email service so that they can be connected to the resources they need to ensure a healthy recovery.
The Heart & Stroke Foundation Infoline is designed to assist people in communities, throughout the province, with the support and resources they need to manage their recovery in a proactive, meaningful way.
Recovering from stroke or heart disease is no easy feat. The Heart & Stroke Infoline is there to help. The Infoline gives free information on health and community supports and services in a way that is understandable and usable. Trained staff and volunteers are available to talk by phone or email Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. It can also connect you with Heart & Stroke programs to help you take charge of your recovery, including our Living with Stroke program and our Community of Survivors.
Talk with The Heart & Stroke Foundation to learn more and take action on your health.
Call 1-888-473-4636, or email at: bcinfoline@heartandstroke.ca.
Call 9-1-1, or your local emergency number, right away if you suspect a heart attack or stroke.
———————–
What is stroke?
A stroke happens when blood stops flowing to any part of your brain, damaging brain cells. The effects of a stroke depend on the part of the brain that was damaged and the amount of damage done. Knowing how your brain works can help you understand your stroke.
The brain is the control centre of your body. It controls how you think, feel, communicate and move. Knowing how your brain works can help you understand your stroke.
Brain cells
The brain is full of specialized cells called neurons. These neurons make the brain work. To work properly — and even to survive — they need to be fed by a constant supply of blood.
Blood vessels of the brain
Arteries and veins are types of blood vessels in your body. Arteries carry blood, rich in oxygen and nutrients, to your organs. Veins carry waste products away from your organs. Cerebral arteries are the arteries of the brain. Normal brain function needs a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients.
When a stroke happens, the blood flow is disrupted. Some brain cells do not get the oxygen and nutrients they need.
When the cells die, that area of the brain cannot function as it did before.
Hemispheres
The brain is divided into two parts called hemispheres, the right and the left. The right hemisphere of your brain controls the left side of your body. The left hemisphere of your brain controls the right side of your body. Some functions are controlled by both. This picture shows the functions of the two hemispheres of the brain.
Each hemisphere is divided into six regions or lobes that control different functions. This picture shows the 6 regions and what they control.
