Willett Watch

Why we need a Stroke Clinic

Rising obesity rates and declining levels of physical activity among baby boomers are causing a surge in rates of heart disease.

According to the Canadian Community Health Survey of 2003-04, 52 percent lead a sedentary lifestyle today, versus 43 percent 10 years ago. 30 percent now qualify as obese compared to 19 percent a decade ago.

It is a dangerous sign of the times that stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in Canada . This is even worse in our area with a 27 % higher rate of heart disease and more overweight people compared to the rest of Ontario .

That is why the opening of the Secondary Stroke Prevention clinic at the Willett on Tuesday is particularly good news. This specialized clinic provides timely assessments, rapid access to diagnostic tests and education about stroke prevention. In fact 75 % of strokes can be prevented in the patients who have risk factors that will lead to a stroke.

Celia Robinson, the Secondary Stroke Prevention Clinic Nurse will be providing her services to those who are at risk of Stroke. Celia points to the important warning signs to look for:

•  Sudden weakness numbness or tingling in the face, arm or leg

•  Sudden temporary loss of speech or trouble understanding speech

•  Sudden loss of vision, particularly in one eye or double vision

•  Sudden severe or unusual headache

•  Sudden loss of balance especially with any of the above signs

If you think you or someone you know may be having a stroke, call 911 immediately. Even if these symptoms appear to go away quickly, seek medical attention immediately.

There may be a simple explanation, one of which may be a TIA, which stands for transient ischemic attack - caused by a temporary lack of blood-flow to the brain. This is known as a mini stroke.

According to Dr. Anne Braun, the physician associated with the Clinic, you are now at a high risk for suffering a stroke in the future. “Because the event is transient, it is likely to return again. It is difficult to diagnose because physicians can only make a clinical diagnosis based on the symptoms presented,” says Dr. Braun.

Both Dr. Braun and the clinic's nurse, Celia, take an in-depth look and examine what possible risk factors may be at work with an individual patient. If they see a number of them, it points to the need for treatment. Dr Braun will do a neurological assessment and order any medications that may be required. Following that, patient education is paramount.

In some cases the clinic may refer you on to a specialist, such as a surgeon or a dietitian. Often, the most significant improvement comes from what you do yourself, such as changing the factors that put you at risk, such as smoking, diet, or an inactive lifestyle.

Once a physician refers you to the Stroke Clinic, you will be seen within a week. By then the results of any diagnostic tests ordered by your doctor or the emergency physician will be complete. The clinic will then present you with a treatment plan, whether it might be rehabilitation for any consequences of a stroke or further clinical testing to uncover any hidden causes for your symptoms or stroke.

When asked if the clinic will save lives, Dr Braun is adamant, saying, “I certainly hope so. If we can get patients early enough we can decrease the impact or even prevent a future occurrence.”

If you would like to be seen at the clinic, please ask your doctor who can refer you to the Willett Secondary Stroke Prevention Clinic.

Peter Muir is a communications specialist with Community Relations at the Brant Community Healthcare System. Brantford General is a regional health centre providing primary, emergency and specialized services. The Willett provides urgent care, primary and community outreach services.