This morning Heart & Stroke released a new report that focuses on the interconnections between heart conditions, stroke and vascular cognitive impairment. I have attached the report and the news release for you.
Here are some more details about the attached report. We welcome your thoughts as you read it.
Please share this report and release across your EMS networks. We have a new data hub and online interactive content that we hope you will find helpful. We look forward to your feedback.
(Dis)connected: How unseen links are putting us at risk is the title of the 2019 Heart & Stroke report.
For the first time ever, the connections between key diseases of the vascular system – heart conditions, stroke and vascular cognitive impairment (of which dementia is the most severe form) – have been systematically mapped and trended. The research is ground-breaking, with worldwide implications.
Our analysis shows these conditions are much more deeply connected than we knew. People who were previously thought to have one vascular condition are at significantly higher risk of developing (or already have) multiple conditions – many without knowing it until they experience health crises. The most startling finding: If you have a heart condition, you have a significantly increased risk, not just for stroke, but also for cognitive impairment.
Our report examines the road blocks and challenges and explains how they have impacted a surprisingly high number of people in Canada over the past decade. It goes on to suggest strategies and actions for patients and families – until the system can be improved – and it urgently calls for systems change.
We hope you will help us get the word out by sharing this information through your networks. The following are links to the report and some additional assets we have posted on our website:
- Report (downloadable PDF) https://www.heartandstroke.ca/what-we-do/media-centre/report
- Interactive report https://www.heartandstroke.ca/articles/report-2019
- Data Hub (interactive data visualization) https://heartandstroke.ca/articles/the-disconnected-story
- Working with your doctor conversation guide https://heartandstroke.ca/heart/recovery-and-support/working-with-your-doctor
It will take all of us, working together, to create a streamlined, patient-centred health system model that can help to prevent, and optimally treat, these vascular conditions. The time to act is now.
Our calls to action include everyone, and we see a real role for community paramedicine in the prevention priorities. We look forward to chatting with you next week.
Thank you and kindest regards.
Patrice
Patrice Lindsay RN, PhD
Director, Systems Change and Stroke Program | Heart & Stroke
patrice.lindsay@heartandstroke.ca
T 647-943-3042 I C 647-528-4361