Tag: Strokes

Strokes, Streaks and Snow

Now for a post dedicated to the core subjects on this site: strokes, running, and of course photography. Covering all of that might seem like a tall order, but the last month has provided me with plenty of material on all three subjects. So, without further ado…

CanStroke Congress

In late November, Calgary hosted the 2024 Canadian Stroke Congress, which is described as “a forum for stroke researchers, trainees, clinicians, allied health, administrators, policymakers, and People With Lived Experience of stroke (PWLE) to share new discoveries and innovations, the latest science and therapies, and to build relationships for future collaboration.”

I learned about the congress in a recent conversation with representatives of the Heart and Stroke Foundation. By registering as a PWLE, I was able to attend any of the main sessions at a very reasonable cost. It was a unique opportunity to participate in an exceptional event.

Several workshops were offered on the day before the congress, and I attended one on patient engagement. We heard from scientists and advocates on a range of topics, all focused on ways that PWLE can become involved in stroke research and advocacy. Breakout sessions addressed the practicalities of various engagement paths. The workshop was a good chance to meet other people and share our respective stroke journeys.

I was so impressed with the workshop that I returned the next day to attend a couple of the main sessions. Dr. Andrew Demchuk, the hero of my own stroke story, and Dr. Thalia Field from UBC led a discussion, “What’s New in Stroke Prevention?” It was standing room only for this session. While much of the discussion was over my head, I was so impressed by the depth and breadth of the presentation, and the knowledge and confidence of the speakers. It reinforced my opinion that world-class stroke care is available in Canada.

Another session (“What’s New in Acute Stroke?”) had three eminent stroke neurologists discuss developments in stroke diagnostics and therapies, including some that I touched on in a recent post. It turns out I have a connection to all three of the speakers:

  • Dr. Michael Hill was one of the physicians involved in my care at the Foothills Stroke Unit in 2017. He kindly wrote the foreword for Stroke of Luck.
  • I’ve never met Dr. Mayank Goyal, but he would have been the physician responsible for inserting a stent into my blocked vertebral artery, should the decision have been made to follow this treatment route for me.
  • Finally, Dr. Aristeidis Katsanos is an eminent stroke neurologist at my alma mater, McMaster University.

My takeaway from attending the congress is that while stroke incidence is increasing and our healthcare system is under severe pressure, we should be encouraged by many significant advancements that are being made in stroke diagnostics and therapy. There is reason to be optimistic about the future.

A Blast of Winter

Coincident with the stroke congress was Calgary’s first blast of winter. This likely gave the conference organizers fits. It was quite a wallop. I think we got something like three times our usual November snowfall in one day. Now, while that did complicate a lot of things, it also provided for some great photography. Here are some shots from around the city… with a reminder that the copyright for all images is mine.

Strides Run Streak

Here we are, already halfway through December. Cue the usual observations about where the year has gone. December is also when many Calgary runners take on the annual Strides Run Streak. The challenge is simple: run at least one mile every day during the month.

I have some meaningful connections to this event, so whatever else is going on at this time of year, I like to sign up for it. One mile a day is an achievable goal. I give myself the added challenge of finding a worthy photo or two while I’m completing my run. Sometimes that is a bigger test, particularly with the days getting shorter and shorter!

This year, my commitment is strong, but the challenges are not insignificant. We started the month with plenty of snow on the roads and sidewalks, which have slowly turned into skating rinks. Ah, Calgary weather! I’m also doing most of my running solo these days, as my favourite training partner is sidelined with a sore hip. We are both hoping for some improvement soon.

Two weeks into December, my streak is intact, and I have managed to accumulate a few images. Maybe more images than miles, if I’m honest. While it is nice to capture the festive spirit… the snow does help with that… it isn’t essential. Rather, my goal is to find images that can transport me back into that time and place. It’s a way of adding meaning to my runs. When it comes together, it’s a nice feeling. Here’s a sample.

And while I did say the images don’t have to be festive, there is one that has the potential to put even a Grinch like me into the Christmas spirit. See what you think.

Look for more images soon. I have ideas for other posts before I shut things down for the holidays. In case that doesn’t happen, I will take this opportunity to offer my best wishes for a Merry Christmas to one and all.

Be well and BE FAST!

Stroke News Digest

I haven’t written much about strokes lately, so it was time to scan the recent headlines. It turns out there is quite a lot to report on, and much of it (but not all) is good news. I always prefer to start with the positives, so here goes…

Announcing the Black Friday Sale!

If you’ve been waiting to order your copy of Stroke of Luck: My Life in Amateur Athletics, now’s the perfect time. I’ve reduced prices for e-book and print editions by a marathon-inspired 26.2 percent. These are the best prices you’ll see in 2024. The book would be a great gift for a runner… or non-runner… on your holiday gift list!

Order your copy of Stroke of Luck on Amazon today!

Sale prices will be in effect until December 1.

Awareness Campaigns are Working

June is Stroke Awareness Month in Canada. Heart and Stroke is committed to helping improve the lives of people at risk for and living with heart disease and stroke. When it comes to stroke, much has changed in the last several decades. The keys are increased awareness of the signs of stroke, and some revolutionary changes in stroke diagnostics and treatment.

Promoting stroke awareness is a priority for Heart and Stroke. Their media campaigns rely on an easy-to-remember acronym… F-A-S-T. By now, most of us will have seen the television ads and billboards, which remind us of the major signs of stroke, as follows:

  • F is for FACE… Is it drooping?
  • A is for ARMS… Is the person unable to lift both?
  • S is for SPEECH… Is it slurred or incoherent?
  • T is for TIME… Call 9-1-1 if any of these conditions exist!

Heart and Stroke notes that awareness campaigns have been successful. For example, 4 in 10 Canadians surveyed can name at least 2 signs of stroke. Women and older Canadians are more likely to recognize stroke symptoms. Of course, there is always more that can be done.

At this point, I will add a caveat about stroke awareness, because my symptoms did not fall into the F-A-S-T framework. It’s an 80-20 situation. I encourage everyone to read my blog pieces where I describe the less frequent symptoms. These include problems with balance and eyes/ears. So, if you can, please remember BE FAST, to cover off all the signs of stroke.

U of Calgary – Leading in Stroke Research

While there can never be a good time or place to have a stroke, it’s been said that Calgary is the place to be if is going to happen to you. I do have some direct experience in this regard, but I didn’t fully appreciate how much innovation is happening here.

A couple of March 2024 articles in Arch, the University of Calgary magazine (here and here) highlight advancements in diagnosis and treatment that originated at the Calgary Stroke Program (CSP). Here are just a few:

(1) A Calgary-based clinical trial led to a procedure known as EVT (endovascular thrombectomy), which is drastically reducing the death rate from one of the most common types of strokes. EVT is a procedure that can disrupt large clots in the brain. If done promptly after the onset of symptoms, EVT can triple a patient’s chance of making a full recovery from certain strokes.

(2) The Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) is a grading system for strokes. This tool, which is based on a brain CT scan, has been adopted around the world as a way of measuring changes in a patient’s condition.

(3) A clinical trial of a clot-busting drug called Tenecteplase (TNKase™) compared it to the standard drug used for dissolving blood clots in brain arteries with acute ischemic stroke. As a result, TNKase™ is becoming the standard of care in hospitals around the world.

I could go on. The innovations originating in Calgary cover diagnostic processes, treatment options and rehabilitative therapies. It is a remarkable success story. On a personal note, I have come to know several of the doctors involved in these research programs. They are truly miracle workers.

Stroke Incidence is Increasing

A study in The Lancet Neurology found that the global prevalence of cardiovascular disease, including stroke, increased from 271 million in 1990 to 523 million in 2019. The study found that population growth and aging account for this increase. While stroke mortality rates had been declining in the latter part of the twentieth century, some countries have actually seen a reversal in this trend since 2010. Unfortunately, the US and UK are two countries that have seen an increase in stroke numbers.

A study on stroke prevalence by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention fills in some of the details for the US. Here are a couple of headlines: stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the US and it costs the economy about $56 billion annually. Digging deeper, the CDC study confirms the trend in stroke incidence. Overall US stroke prevalence increased by about 8 percent from 2011-2013 to 2020-22. The increase was slightly higher in females than males. There was an inverse relationship between education level and stroke prevalence. Perhaps most worrying was a significant increase in adults aged 18-64. As you might guess, obesity is a leading risk factor for stroke.

Not surprisingly, the trends in Canada are similar. Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in Canada, accounting for about 13,000 deaths annually. There are more than 108,000 strokes in Canada each year… that’s one every five minutes. And nearly 900,000 Canadians are living with the outcome of strokes. As in other countries, it’s a result of our aging population.

Fortunately, when strokes do happen, more people are recognizing them and taking action.

Before signing off, I couldn’t help but include a photograph taken on yesterday’s short walk along the Elbow River in Calgary. The picture has nothing to do with strokes, but I liked it. Yes, winter is here!

Elbow River (November 20, 2024)

Thanks for reading. Be well, and BE FAST…

Stroke Awareness Sale Extended!

Did you know that June is Stroke Awareness Month in Canada?

To recognize the importance of stroke awareness, I’ve extended the online promotion for my memoir, Stroke of Luck.

Get your copy on Amazon and save 20% until July 15. And help me help the heroes at the Foothills Stroke Unit!

Stroke incidence continues to rise in Canada – more strokes are happening and more people are living with stroke due to our aging population and more younger people having strokes.  There are now nearly 110,000 strokes each year in Canada. That is roughly one stroke every five minutes.

Strokes occur due to an interruption of blood flow to the brain, and most strokes originate in the carotid arteries. The carotid arteries are the large arteries at the front of the neck. They deliver most of the blood to the brain. Carotid artery strokes produce symptoms that are familiar to many people, thanks to effective public awareness campaigns:

  • F – Face drooping
  • A – Arms can’t be lifted above your head
  • S – Speech is slurred or jumbled
  • T – Time to call 9-1-1

As I learned, strokes can also occur due to an interruption of blood flow in the vertebral arteries. These arteries are at the back of the neck. They are smaller than the carotid arteries, but just as important.

The symptoms of vertebral strokes are different than those originating in the carotid arteries because they control different bodily functions. Here’s what to look for as possible signs of a vertebral artery stroke:

  • B – Balance and coordination problems, like vertigo
  • E – Eyes and Ears behaving strangely, especially if uncoordinated

Taken together, these symptoms can be remembered by the words BE FAST.

BE FAST is an appropriate phrase, because regardless of the type of stroke, time is of the essence. If there’s any doubt, call 911 right away!

Be well, and BE FAST!

“Stroke Awareness Month” Sale!

To raise awareness of the prevalence of stroke, I’m offering Stroke of Luck: My Life in Amateur Athletics for a special price in June. Order your copy on Amazon and save 20%.

Help me raise funds for the essential work of the doctors and staff at Foothills Stroke Unit!

The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada is celebrating 10 years of raising awareness about recognizing the signs of stroke, and the need to call 9-1-1 right away to get to the best hospital for stroke care. 

BE FAST is a memory jogger that I’ve been sharing with people, because it covers the full range of stroke symptoms. Here’s what it stands for:

BE FAST – someone’s life could depend on it!

Stroke incidence continues to rise in Canada – more strokes are happening and more people are living with stroke due to our aging population and more younger people having strokes.  There are now nearly 110,000 strokes each year in Canada. That is roughly one stroke every five minutes.

I’ll leave you with the words of Dr. Michael Hill, the Calgary neurologist who wrote the foreword to Stroke of Luck:

“Time is brain when it comes to stroke and everyone has a role to play. It starts with someone recognizing the signs of stroke and calling 9-1-1”

– Dr. Michael Hill, Neurologist, Calgary Stroke Program

So, during June, why not take a minute to familiarize yourself with ALL the potential signs of stroke? Even better, spread the message to those you care about. It could save a life! And if you’re looking for a bit of motivation, why not order your copy of Stroke of Luck for a discounted price?

BE FAST, and be well!

Steve

Featured in CHF story!

I was thrilled to be featured in a recent story by the Calgary Health Foundation. You can read their piece here. And don’t pass up the opportunity to read some of the other motivational stories on the CHF website.

In our interview, Ashley and I talked about my running adventures and my recovery from a series of strokes in the summer of 2017. I shared my experience as a patient at the Foothills Stroke Unit, and what prompted me to write a book about it.

While I’m writing, I will say thanks to those who purchased a copy of my book, Stroke of Luck: My Life in Amateur Athletics. It’s worth reminding my readers of my main messages:

  • The importance of an active lifestyle
  • Awareness of the full range of stroke symptoms… remember, “BE FAST”
  • Support for world-class stroke care at the Foothills Medical Centre

If you haven’t already picked up a copy of Stroke of Luck, it isn’t too late. The book is available directly from me (if you live in the Calgary area), on Amazon, or at any independent bookstore. Speaking of which, let me give a shout-out to Owl’s Nest Books in Calgary!

I’ve been very gratified by the response to Stroke of Luck. Many families are affected by strokes, so my story is one we can all relate to. And don’t forget, funds raised from sales of the book are going directly to support the work of the Foothills Stroke Unit, through the Calgary Health Foundation. It’s a win-win situation!

Until next time, thank you.

Steve

Leap To It!

There are less than two weeks left in February, and time is running out for my online sale. Get your copy of Stroke of Luck (print or e-book) on Amazon for a tidy 24% discount.

Of course, there is one extra day to place your order, with this being a leap year.* Extra day or not, leap to it and save!

* Did You Know?

The tradition of inserting an extra day into February every four years is how the calendar is aligned to the rotational frequency of the Earth’s orbit around the sun.

But wait… one orbit takes 365.24219 days. That means if a whole day is added every four years, for an average of 365.25 days, the calendar would be lengthened a bit too much.

As a result, the schedule of leap years is adjusted slightly to reduce this mismatch. If the year is divisible by 100 and not divisible by 400, the leap year is skipped. The year 2000 was a leap year, but 1700, 1800, and 1900 were not. The next time a leap year will be skipped is the year 2100. This gives an average calendar year of 365.2425 days, almost exactly matching the orbital frequency.