Awareness, Primary & Secondary Prevention

Improving public awareness and helping prevent strokes is a priority of the BC Stroke Strategy. Fortunately, many of the risks of strokes are very manageable – by both individuals and society at large.

Raising public awareness helps British Columbians recognize the signs of stroke and identify the risk factors that can lead to a stroke. There is a wealth of valuable information and many online tools to help. On June 1 2010, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC & Yukon launched its Signs of Stroke public awareness campaign. Visit the website for information and to watch the ad. For more information about raising public awareness, click here.

Primary prevention is about taking action now to avoid having a stroke. Managing blood pressure and weight are two classic examples. For more information about how to prevent a stroke, click here.

Secondary Prevention is about managing risk factors if you have one or more of the risk factors, or if you’re already had a stroke. For information about secondary care, click here.

In December 2010, the BC Stroke Strategy tabled the Provincial Stroke Action Plan with the BC Ministry of Health Services and regional Health Authorities for decision around future governance, funding and implementation. The Action Plan recommends expanding TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack) Rapid Assessment services across British Columbia as a key way to prevent TIAs from becoming full-blown strokes.