Linda Rodier is the latest name added to Canada's stroke statistics - however she stands out in that she survived almost unscathed.
Like most people, she did not know the list of warning signs that she was having a stroke nor the risk factors for stroke. Like most people, she did not know that women are more gravely affected than men by stroke. Like most people, when a stroke happened, she downplayed the symptoms at their most critical stage.
But she did not dismiss them completely, and with little room left on the hope scale, she went for advise from a doctor.
"I had a series of TIAs (transient ischemic attack, a mini-stroke suggesting a big one is on its way) and, being a typical teacher, I didn't react to it right away because I felt busy. I wanted to finish my day," she told The Citizen from her home near McLeese Lake.
She experienced a loss of vision, weakness, the inability to use language properly (incoherent or disjointed words).
Eventually it was enough to convince her to go to the closest hospital, Williams Lake, where she was attended to by Dr. Doug Neufeld who recognized the signs of stroke. Today is the one-year anniversary of that visit.
"He said 'you need to go to Kamloops [the closest regional hospital] right away,' and I said no, my husband had a meeting he had to attend, he's the school board chair. Our sense of duty, as people, sometimes takes over when it shouldn't."
Neufeld insisted, as did her husband Wayne, and when she arrived at Royal Inland Hospital she discovered why.
"They did a month of testing in one day," she said. "They discovered my carotid artery was 97 per cent blocked. They operated immediately. When I really needed help, I was first in line. I am one very fortunate woman."
According to a polling results just released this week, coupled with prior clinical experience, the Heart and Stroke Foundation showed just how fortunate she was. There are 50,000 strokes per year in Canada, and about 300,000 Canadians currently live with the effects of a stroke they survived.
"Women's awareness of stroke warning signs is poor. Canadian women need to be better stroke detectors," said Dr. Frank Silver, a spokesman for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. "Stroke is urgent. Knowing and reacting immediately to stroke warning signs is essential." He added, "women underestimate their risk factors when it comes to stroke."
Rodier was left with a scar on her throat due to the surgery. She likes showing it off to her 10 grandchildren, as a sign that they are still able to enjoy life together. She slowly recovered from the effects of the surgery - oversensitivity to loud noises, aversion to crowds, reading difficulties, etc.
Perhaps she is even more positive than before, with a bright reminder of life's fragility.
"I'm learning to play the piano at 67 years old," she said.
She is also digging into her passion for learning Welsh, Scottish and English history, mentoring up-and-coming school teachers, and is contemplating a return to the classroom. She will definitely stay involved in stroke education, she said.
STROKE SIGNS
The five key signs of stroke are:
Sudden weakness or numbness.
Sudden trouble speaking.
Sudden vision problems.
Sudden severe and unusual headache.
Sudden dizziness or loss of balance.
KEY RISK FACTORS
High blood pressure doubles the risk of stroke.
Smoking more than triples the risk of stroke.
Obesity increases the incidence of stroke by more than six per cent.
High cholesterol increases risk of stroke by 20 to 30 per cent.
Diabetes elevates the risk of stroke by three times.
Irregular heart rhythm contributes to half of strokes caused by blood clots.
After age 55, the risk of stroke doubles every 10 years.
A stroke survivor has a 20 per cent chance of having another stroke within two years.
Physical activity could prevent 25 per cent of strokes in Canada.
KILLER STATS
Strokes kill more then 2,000 British Columbians each year.
Of those who succumb to strokes, the death rate is 32 per cent higher for women than men.
Yet women are lagging in their awareness of stroke, especially among the nation's two biggest ethnic minorities, those of Chinese and South Asian descent.
The Foundation's poll found that:
- Only a third of all women polled could identify at least three warning signs.
- Fifty-three per cent of Canadian women overall are unable to identify that stroke and heart disease are their leading cause of death, responsible for one in three deaths.
- Eighty-four per cent of women from Chinese and South Asian origin are unable to identify that stroke and heart disease are their leading cause of death.
- Twenty-three per cent of all women could not name even one risk factor for stroke.
- Only 29 per cent of Chinese women and 22 per cent of South Asian women identified high blood pressure as a risk factor (it is in fact the leading risk factor for stroke).
- Only 28 per cent recognized high blood pressure as a risk factor and only 20 per cent identified high cholesterol.
HEART-SMART APPIE
For those on the information superhighway who hunger for knowledge about stroke symptoms, consequences and risk-factors, the Heart and Stroke Foundation freshly launched two smartphone apps.
My Heart&Stroke Health Check Recipe Helper ... This app provides a quick and easy resource to help lower the amount of sodium (salt) in your diet. The app features dozens of heart-healthy, lower-sodium recipes that come with grocery lists, main ingredient searches, and comprehensive nutrition information.
My Heart&Stroke Blood Pressure Action Plan ... This app allows users to monitor and better manage their blood pressure. They will be able to assess their personal risk, track blood pressure readings over time, view graphs of blood pressure changes, share readings with their physicians, list their medications, set appointment reminders, and track their condition.
The free apps - available in English or French can be downloaded at the Apple, Android, and BlackBerry app stores or go to www.heartandstroke.ca/mobileapps.
