The Beat by Heart & Stroke

Women, stroke and mental health

Anyone can experience a stroke, but they affect men and women differently. Women are often in caregiver positions, meaning they sometimes don’t take the time to prioritize their recovery and mental health after a stroke, leading to worse outcomes.  In this episode, we hear from Lisa Meeches, who experienced a stroke while attending a powwow with her family. Through the support of her community, Lisa was able to take the time she needed to recover- but still faced mental health challenges that she had to work hard to overcome. Dr Tennen of Sunnybrook Health Sciences then speaks about her experience as a psychiatrist working with patients after a stroke, and why there needs to be more studies that focus on sex differences in stroke outcomes. Both guests emphasize the mental health struggles women face in stroke recovery, and that more needs to be done to ensure that anyone who has experienced a stroke gets the mental health support they need.   For more information on women and stroke, visit: https://www.heartandstroke.ca/stroke/what-is-stroke/types-of-stroke/women-and-stroke [https://www.heartandstroke.ca/stroke/what-is-stroke/types-of-stroke/women-and-stroke]

Indigenous experience, heart disease and stroke

In Canada, Indigenous populations are at higher risk for heart disease and stroke, and often have less access to health care as well as information about their risks and how to manage them. The systemic racism that has historically impacted Indigenous communities has trickle-down effects, and Indigenous people still face access barriers to healthcare today.  In this episode, we hear the story of Lynne Marie Sherry, with the help of her daughter Shawnee Kish. After Lynne’s high blood pressure went largely untreated, she experienced a devastating stroke. While recovering, she was unable to access the traditional spiritual care she needed. Dr. Bernice Downey, a medical anthropologist and Indigenous Health Lead in the Faculty of Health Science at McMaster University, discusses the larger systemic issues facing Indigenous communities in the healthcare system. And she finds hope in the ways that Indigenous communities are working together to reclaim their own health and well-being.  To learn more about Indigenous communities and cardiovascular health, visit: https://www.heartandstroke.ca/what-we-do/indigenous-health [https://www.heartandstroke.ca/what-we-do/indigenous-health]

The surprising heart-brain connection

Your heart and brain are deeply interconnected. So, if you experience a heart condition or stroke, both your heart and brain can potentially be affected. Despite this, the Canadian medical system remains siloed, resulting in missed diagnoses and opportunities for prevention.  Listen to this episode of The Beat as we dive into the unexpected heart-brain connection... We hear from Kelly, who experienced chest pain for 15 years before having two strokes, leading doctors to diagnose her with a dangerous heart condition. We also hear from Patrice Lindsay, Director of Health Systems at Heart &Stroke, who explains how the Canadian healthcare system must adapt in order to provide better care.  If you’d like to learn more about the heart-brain connection, please visit heartandstroke.ca

Ask a cardiologist: Expert answers to your questions

When it comes to heart health, there are lots of questions, and sometimes the answers can be confusing.  In this special episode, host Caroline Lavallée interviews Dr Ratika Parkash, a cardiac electrophysiologist, and asks her common listener questions about heart health. You’ll learn what to do if you have a heart attack, the biggest risk factors for heart disease, the role of physical activity when recovering from a heart attack, and more.   If you have more questions about your heart health, or want additional information about anything discussed in this episode please visit heartandstroke.ca.

Kids under pressure: When a parent falls ill

When a parent is struck by a serious medical event, it affects the entire family, including children. It can be difficult to know what to do in these situations, and how to best support children going through this difficult and stressful situation.  In this episode, Stephan Maighan shares his story of loss and perseverance after his single mother experienced a stroke when he was just seven years old. We also hear from Émilie Pothier-Tessier, a social worker who works with children who are experiencing the serious illness or death of a parent. She walks us through different ways to help children in these situations, from sharing information to professional support. Both Stephan and Emilie hope to educate listeners on the needs of children whose parents have been affected by serious illness, and remind us that children deserve to have the same support we extend to adults.  If you’d like more information on heart disease or stroke, please go to heart and stroke dot ca and enter support in the search bar.