Tips and Warning Signs

• Brain health
  • The warning signs of a stroke
• Heart and vascular health
  • Your Blood Pressure Action Plan
  • The warning signs of a heart attack
  Metabolic health
  • The warning signs of diabetes
• Health and disease information 

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Brain health

• Sevens things that boost your brain power and help your whole body
  (source: Alzheimer Society)

  1. Challenge Yourself
     Read, do puzzles, take a course, learn an instrument and keep up with your hobbies.

  2. Be Socially Active
     Maintain old friendships and make new ones. Stay socially active through work, volunteer activities, travel, hobbies, family and friends. Be open to new experiences.

  3. Make Healthy Food Choices
     Choose appropriate portion sizes, eating healthy snacks, and drinking plenty of water. Plan meals in advance so that you don't leave healthy eating to chance.

  4. Be Physically Active
     Even moderate physical activity promotes the circulation of blood to the brain, which nourishes the cells with nutrients and oxygen, and may even encourage the development of new cells.

  5. Reduce Stress
     Stress causes your body to release chemicals that are damaging to the brain and other cells in your body when it persists over time. Stress can cause vascular changes and chemical imbalances that impact the brain. Meditation, deep breathing, massage and physical exercise are examples of stress reduction techniques that are effective for many people.

  6. Protect Your Head
     Protect against concussions by wearing an approved helmet when engaging in sporting activities such as skating, skiing, skateboarding, rollerblading and cycling. Drive safely and always wear a seatbelt.

Learn more about keeping your brain healthy...>> www.alzheimer.ca
 

Know the five warning signs of a stroke!

Stroke is a medical emergency.
Recognizing and responding immediately to the warning signs of stroke by calling 9-1-1 or your local emergency number can significantly improve survival and recovery.

Weakness - Sudden loss of strength or sudden numbness in the face, arm or leg, even if temporary.
Trouble speaking - Sudden difficulty speaking or understanding or sudden confusion, even if temporary.
Vision problems - Sudden trouble with vision, even if temporary.
Headache - Sudden severe and unusual headache.
Dizziness - Sudden loss of balance, especially with any of the above signs.

Learn more about warning signs of a stroke...>> www.heartandstroke.com
 

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Heart and vascular health

Create your Blood Pressure Action Plan
 

Know the warning signs of a heart attack.
Heart attack is a medical emergency.
Recognizing and responding immediately to the warning signs of heart attack by calling 9-1-1 or your local emergency number can significantly improve survival and recovery.

Pain
Sudden discomfort or pain that does not go away with rest
Pain that may be in the chest, neck, jaw, shoulder, arms or back
Pain that may feel like burning, squeezing, heaviness, tightness or pressure
In women, pain may be more vague
Chest pain or discomfort that is brought on with exertion and goes away with rest

Shortness of breath
Nausea or indigestion
Sweating
Fear

Learn more about the signs and symptoms of heart attack...>> www.heartandstroke.ca

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Metabolic health

Know the warning signs of diabetes
There are many signs and symptoms that can indicate type 2 diabetes.
Some of these are:

• unusual thirst
• frequent urination
• weight change (gain or loss)
• extreme fatigue
• blurred vision
• cuts and bruises that are slow to heal
• tingling or numbness in the hands or feet

If you have any of these symptoms, please contact your healthcare provider right away. 

For more information on diabetes...>> www.diabetes.ca

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Health and disease information

www.mayoclinic.com