Since the family of Patrick Charbonneau invited people to translate their sympathy brand by donations to the heart and stroke foundation (stroke), the newspaper wanted to discuss with a foundation specialist to understand their activities, prevention gestures and the different ways of helping the organization in its mission.
The Foundation has existed for over 70 years and has been working to promote the prevention of heart and stroke diseases. The most frequent signs (80%) are gathered on the acronym quickly: V for sagged face; It is the inability to lift both arms; T for speech and pronunciation disorder; E for extreme emergency.
They also offer continuing education activities for health professionals and to raise awareness among the general population in the form of a webinar offered three to four times a year. They bring together cardiologists, health professionals and people with heart disease. For two years, the Foundation also organizes a summit on stroke. Lots of information is found on their website and after events, most of the captures are available on their YouTube channel.
They also deal with two support communities. The first is for patients who live with a heart disease and the second is for caregivers. The communities are moderate, so they are safe. “What is important to mental health is to know that we are not alone,” shares the specialist Elizabeth Obreson who works for the foundation.
Symptoms to recognize
She adds: “In Canada, more than 5,000 people aged 40 and over will receive a diagnosis of heart failure each year. Most of these people develop them over time. They often have at least one cardiovascular condition that has not been taken care of. One of the main causes is high blood pressure. »»
Since the pressure is high, the blood circulates more quickly and causes small tears, fibrosis, in the blood vessels which can lead to the creation of clots which then walk in the body. In the brain, the blood vessels are smaller, so it is possible that a clotted clothes are stuck. The cells therefore receive less oxygen and they die. The more we wait before processing the stroke, the greater the damage. This is why it is necessary to act quickly.
According to Ms. Obreson, life habits are often decisive for prevention. Nine out of ten people have at least one of the risk factors such as hypertension, high cholesterol, unhealthy weight, lack of physical activity, poor diet, alcohol, tobacco and drugs. Before menopause, women are less likely to undergo a stroke, but thereafter the risks are essentially the same.
For the specialist, it is essential to listen to your body and not to neglect the gradual or sudden changes that one can notice in its physical activities and its feelings: “You have to change the mentality of people who say: ‘It is not so serious’. It is not normal to feel breath or tired for long periods or have swelling in the legs, cough for more than a week, appetite losses, cold sweats. ”
“It is better to go to consult and have confirmation that we have nothing more than to put the consultation that discovered a situation to be taken in hand tomorrow,” suggests Elizabeth Obreson.
On the side of the heart attack, the specialist recalls the symptoms: chest pain, sweat, discomfort on the arm, neck, jaw, nausea, shortness of breath. For women, pain is often in the digestive level rather than in the chest.
To support the organization
To help the Foundation, in addition to donations, survivors wanting to engage can tell their story and become a spokesperson for the organization. There is also a campaign with the public service as well as several committees, working groups, consultations and research projects in which the public can participate. The specialist invites people to register for the organization’s newsletter to be aware of the organization’s activities.