A stroke occurs every five minutes in Canada, a number that is increasing, according to a new study released Tuesday.
According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s annual count, there are 108,707 cases in the country.
The Heart & Stroke-funded study, which examined visits to hospitals and emergency rooms, underscores the need for strong systems of care and the need for better prevention.
“Our study has provided us with the most comprehensive picture of hospital or emergency room visits for stroke across the country,” said Jessalyn Holodinsky, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Calgary and lead author of the study.
According to the authors of the study, age is a risk factor for stroke due to the aging of the population, although anyone, older or younger, can have a stroke.
As strokes become less deadly, the number of people living with the consequences of stroke has risen to 878,000 nationwide, half of whom require assistance with their activities on a daily basis.
“This new information will help us plan health systems,” said Dr. Michael Hill, senior medical director of the Cardiovascular Health and Stroke Strategic Clinical Network, Alberta Health Services, and lead author of the study.
“As the number of strokes continues to rise, emergency services and hospitals must be ready to meet demand to ensure patients receive the right care in a timely manner and have the best possible outcomes,” he added.
Award-winning entrepreneur. Baconaholic. Food advocate. Wannabe beer maven. Twitter ninja.
