Health Minister Michael de Jong is highlighting Stroke Awareness Month and how families can stay healthy by learning the signs of stroke.

The minister was joined by MLAs to ride the 30-seat Heart and Stroke Big Bike around the B.C. legislative buildings.

Each year in British Columbia, more than 6,500 strokes kill more than 2,000 people. Yet in a 2010 Heart and Stroke Foundation survey, only 45 per cent of British Columbian respondents could name two or more warning signs of stroke, and only 71 per cent said they would call 9-1-1 immediately if someone was having a stroke.

The five 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.

To further support British Columbians in recognizing the warning signs of stroke, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC & Yukon is launching a video highlighting the five symptoms and the message: Call 911 immediately.

In May 2011, the Province launched the comprehensive $68.7-million Healthy Families BC strategy, which will support British Columbians in managing their own health, reducing chronic disease, including stroke, and ensuring that pregnancy and support programs target the province's most vulnerable families. Additionally, the strategy will focus on healthy eating, including a public awareness campaign around sodium and sweetened beverage reduction, as well as a provincial restaurant recognition program to promote healthy eating options.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC & Yukon is a volunteer-based health charity, which leads in eliminating heart disease and stroke and reducing their impact through the advancement of research, the promotion of healthy living and advocacy.

Quick Facts:

In Canada, the estimated cost of stroke is $4 billion to $5 billion per year. For B.C., the estimated cost is about $327 million a year.

• Strokes are the third-leading cause of death in B.C. and the number one cause of adult-acquired long-term disability.
• The majority of stroke patients survive, but can be affected by neurological disabilities over the long term.
• 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.
• Following a lower-sodium diet and controlling high blood pressure, staying physically active, and being smoke-free can significantly reduce stroke risk.

Many risk factors for stroke are manageable with lifestyle changes:

• 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 - 30 per cent.
• Diabetes elevates the risk of stroke by three times.
• Irregular heart rhythm contributes to half of strokes caused by blood clots.
• Physical activity could prevent 25 per cent of strokes in Canada.

The Big Bike began in Alberta in 1989, and today rides in all the provinces across Canada. Each June, teams made up of 29 riders and one driver provided by the foundation, pedal through communities across Canada in support of heart disease and stroke research. Last year, over 40,000 riders, in over 200 communities, helped to raise over $7 million for research.

Learn More:

For more information on Healthy Families BC or Prescription for Health, please visit: www.healthyfamiliesbc.ca

Heart and Stroke Foundation 'Signs of a Stroke' video: www.itmaynotbelove.com

Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC & Yukon: www.heartandstroke.bc.ca

Signs of Stroke: www.signsofstroke.ca

BC Stroke Strategy: www.bcstrokestrategy.ca

Contacts:

Ryan Jabs
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)

Kathryn MacLeod
Manager, Communications & Production
Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC & Yukon
604 737-3402