This is an opinion column by Niagara Health Senior Communications Specialist Diane Moore, published in PelhamToday, NOTLLocal, and ThoroldToday.
More Canadians than ever before are surviving strokes. This remarkable progress is thanks in large part to quicker access to specialized care and significant strides in stroke prevention.
“Access to specialized, urgent medical care is a key factor driving these outcomes,” says Dr. Alicia Mattia, Lead Neurology and Stroke Physician at Niagara Health. “But perhaps even more important are the gains being made in stroke prevention and risk factor modification.
”Most Canadians have at least one vascular risk factor, and many may not even realize it. Medical conditions such as high blood pressure (hypertension), high cholesterol, diabetes, and atrial fibrillation all increase your risk of stroke. But it's not just about medical conditions—lifestyle choices play a critical role too.“
Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity are some of the more common risks,” says Dr. Mattia. “The good news is that many of these risk factors are manageable or even preventable with the right support and guidance.”
“That's why it's so important to talk to your health care provider about ways to lower your personal risk of stroke. Small changes in your daily routine—like adding a short walk, cutting back on salt, or quitting smoking—can make a big difference.”
Act FAST
If you or someone you know might be having a stroke, act FAST and call 9-1-1.An ambulance is almost always the fastest way to get to a stroke centre to be seen by a specialized stroke team.
Recognizing the signs of stroke and acting quickly can save a life. The FAST acronym is an easy way to remember the most common signs of stroke:
F = Facial drooping: Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile.
A = Arm weakness: Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S = Speech Difficulty: Is speech slurred?
T = Time to call 9-1-1: Every minute counts. Call 9-1-1 immediately. Note the time when any of the symptoms first appear.
Other stroke symptoms include sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body; confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech; trouble seeing in one or both eyes; trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or co-ordination; and severe headache with no known cause.
Source: American Stroke Association
Niagara Health is taking bold steps to become a national leader in stroke care. The organization is currently pursuing Stroke Distinction from Accreditation Canada. This prestigious designation recognizes hospitals that provide the highest standard of acute and inpatient stroke rehabilitation services.
Participation in the Stroke Distinction program highlights NH’s commitment to excellence and innovation. It also brings together valuable input from stroke survivors, caregivers, patient partners, and the Central South Regional Stroke Program to ensure continuous improvement in care.
NH is also working toward Integrated Stroke Distinction in collaboration with partners like Hamilton Health Sciences, Hotel Dieu Shaver, and the Waterloo Regional Health Network. This rigorous and highly advanced program recognizes excellence in acute and inpatient rehabilitation services offering specialized stroke care.
“Stroke Distinction instills confidence in patients, in primary care physicians, and the community, to know that they’re going to get the care they need in a timely way,” says Leanne Kent, District Stroke Program Manager at Niagara Health. “Timely care is critical with stroke. Time is brain. We’ve built this system together and we will continue to be evaluated by Accreditation Canada.
Niagara Health is not just leading in care—it’s pushing the boundaries of stroke research too. Since launching the Neurology Research Program at the Niagara Health Knowledge Institute in 2023, NH has become one of the only community hospitals in Canada actively participating in stroke clinical trials.
This means that patients in the community can now access the latest innovations in stroke treatment—without having to travel far from home.
As stroke survival rates rise and prevention efforts gain momentum, Canadians have more reason than ever to feel hopeful. With community hospitals like NH leading the charge in care, research, and accreditation, the future of stroke treatment is bright—and it’s right here at home.
