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The number of Canadians living with long-term disability as a result of a stroke is expected to skyrocket in coming decades, a new study is warning.
“The numbers are kind of alarming,” said co-author Dr. Dale Corbett of the University of Ottawa, who is scientific director and chief executive of the Heart and Stroke Foundation Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery. Within the next two decades, he said, a population the size of Winnipeg’s will be severely disabled because of stroke.
Led by Vancouver health economist Hans Krueger and co-authored Corbett among others, the research estimates the number of Canadians living with long-term disability from stroke will increase by up to 80 per cent in coming decades, reflecting the aging population, population growth and an increase in obesity, and other lifestyle factors. Not only will there be more disabled stroke victims, he said, but they will be younger.
Corbett said the numbers reflect the fact that medical science has become better at saving lives when it comes to strokes, “but the people we are saving are mostly disabled.” More research is needed for breakthrough advances to help those who survive strokes live high quality lives, he said.
Ottawa’s Stephanie Spooner, who suffered a massive stroke on her 21st birthday, a decade ago, is among those living with the after-effects of a stroke. She was in a coma for three weeks and then a wheelchair before beginning months of rehabitation and years of ongoing therapy. Today Spooner, who went on to complete a master’s degree in health administration after her stroke, has a non-functional left hand and wears a brace on her left ankle. She requires help with meals and getting dressed.
Stephanie Spooner suffered a stroke at the age of 21.
Spooner, who works with the stroke survivor association and raises money for stroke research, said research and new technological innovation are crucial to help people live full lives after a stroke. “Any small improvement makes such a difference.”
The study, published in the journal Stroke on Thursday, also provided an updated estimate of the number of Canadians suffering from long-term stroke disability, saying previous estimates were out of date and under-represented the scope of the problem.
In 2013, according to the study, at least 405,000 Canadians were living with stroke disability. This estimate, which includes, for the first time, children under 12 and people living in institutions, is 30 per cent higher than the commonly used estimate.
Not only are current rates of people with stroke disability underestimated, but they are expected to grow rapidly in coming years.
Krueger, the study’s lead author, says the numbers will increase to between 654,000 and 726,000 by 2038. In some parts of the country — particularly in the Prairie Provinces — rates will close to double in coming decades. In other parts of Canada, they will increase by up to 80 per cent.
Stroke is the third-leading cause of death in Canada, with an estimated 50,000 strokes every year. More women than men die from stroke. Each year 200 to 300 children will experience a perinatal stroke.
When it comes to surviving or recovering from a stroke, time is everything. The Heart and Stroke foundation estimates that for every minute delay in treating stroke, the average patient loses 1.9 million brain cells. For every hour in which treatment does not occur, the brain loses as many neurons as it does in about 3.6 years of normal aging.
Strokes can range from mild to severe. Among survivors are those who will never recover. About 36 per cent of stroke survivors are left with significant disabilities five years later.
About 80 per cent of strokes are ischemic and caused by the interruption of blood flow to the brain due to a blood clot. The remainder are hemorrhagic, caused by uncontrolled bleeding in the brain.
The research findings reflect a time in which the prevalence of stroke is increasing and more people are surviving.
“But we need to do even more to keep up with the growing threat of stroke, including raising awareness of the signs of stroke and improving prevention and care,” said David Sculthorpe, chief executive of the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
The Heart and Stroke Foundation uses the acronym FAST to help people identify the signs of stroke — F for face: “Is it drooping?”; A for arms: “Can you raise both?”; S for speech: “Is it slurred or jumbled?”; and T for time: “to call 911 right away.”
“If you or someone with you experiences any of these signs, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. Acting quickly can improve your survival and recovery,” says the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
It also advises people not to drive to the hospital, but to call an ambulance.
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“The numbers are kind of alarming,” said co-author Dr. Dale Corbett of the University of Ottawa, who is scientific director and chief executive of the Heart and Stroke Foundation Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery. Within the next two decades, he said, a population the size of Winnipeg’s will be severely disabled because of stroke.
Led by Vancouver health economist Hans Krueger and co-authored Corbett among others, the research estimates the number of Canadians living with long-term disability from stroke will increase by up to 80 per cent in coming decades, reflecting the aging population, population growth and an increase in obesity, and other lifestyle factors. Not only will there be more disabled stroke victims, he said, but they will be younger.
Corbett said the numbers reflect the fact that medical science has become better at saving lives when it comes to strokes, “but the people we are saving are mostly disabled.” More research is needed for breakthrough advances to help those who survive strokes live high quality lives, he said.
Ottawa’s Stephanie Spooner, who suffered a massive stroke on her 21st birthday, a decade ago, is among those living with the after-effects of a stroke. She was in a coma for three weeks and then a wheelchair before beginning months of rehabitation and years of ongoing therapy. Today Spooner, who went on to complete a master’s degree in health administration after her stroke, has a non-functional left hand and wears a brace on her left ankle. She requires help with meals and getting dressed.
Stephanie Spooner suffered a stroke at the age of 21.
Spooner, who works with the stroke survivor association and raises money for stroke research, said research and new technological innovation are crucial to help people live full lives after a stroke. “Any small improvement makes such a difference.”
The study, published in the journal Stroke on Thursday, also provided an updated estimate of the number of Canadians suffering from long-term stroke disability, saying previous estimates were out of date and under-represented the scope of the problem.
In 2013, according to the study, at least 405,000 Canadians were living with stroke disability. This estimate, which includes, for the first time, children under 12 and people living in institutions, is 30 per cent higher than the commonly used estimate.
Not only are current rates of people with stroke disability underestimated, but they are expected to grow rapidly in coming years.
Krueger, the study’s lead author, says the numbers will increase to between 654,000 and 726,000 by 2038. In some parts of the country — particularly in the Prairie Provinces — rates will close to double in coming decades. In other parts of Canada, they will increase by up to 80 per cent.
Stroke is the third-leading cause of death in Canada, with an estimated 50,000 strokes every year. More women than men die from stroke. Each year 200 to 300 children will experience a perinatal stroke.
When it comes to surviving or recovering from a stroke, time is everything. The Heart and Stroke foundation estimates that for every minute delay in treating stroke, the average patient loses 1.9 million brain cells. For every hour in which treatment does not occur, the brain loses as many neurons as it does in about 3.6 years of normal aging.
Strokes can range from mild to severe. Among survivors are those who will never recover. About 36 per cent of stroke survivors are left with significant disabilities five years later.
About 80 per cent of strokes are ischemic and caused by the interruption of blood flow to the brain due to a blood clot. The remainder are hemorrhagic, caused by uncontrolled bleeding in the brain.
The research findings reflect a time in which the prevalence of stroke is increasing and more people are surviving.
“But we need to do even more to keep up with the growing threat of stroke, including raising awareness of the signs of stroke and improving prevention and care,” said David Sculthorpe, chief executive of the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
The Heart and Stroke Foundation uses the acronym FAST to help people identify the signs of stroke — F for face: “Is it drooping?”; A for arms: “Can you raise both?”; S for speech: “Is it slurred or jumbled?”; and T for time: “to call 911 right away.”
“If you or someone with you experiences any of these signs, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. Acting quickly can improve your survival and recovery,” says the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
It also advises people not to drive to the hospital, but to call an ambulance.
查看原文...
