Stroke Screening

At InvestMed, we promote a healthier future for individuals by emphasizing the importance of early detection and prevention.

You can reduce your risk of health issues and protect your brain health by choosing to invest in your health at a young age.

Every year in Canada, there are over 50,000 new strokes - that’s one stroke every 10 minutes

Ontario Stroke Network, 2023

Included Tests : MRI, Bloodwork, MRI, Blood Work, CT Scan, Carotid Doppler Ultrasound
Benefits of Early Detection : Prevent potential brain damage, reduce your risk of developing chronic health conditions

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A stroke is a life-threatening condition that occurs when part of your brain does not have enough blood flow.

This is most typically caused by a blocked artery or bleeding in your brain. Without a steady supply of blood, the brain cells in that area start to die from a lack of oxygen.

It is important to remember that a stroke is a life-threatening emergency where every second counts. Immediate medical attention is critical to prevent permanent damage or death. The quicker the stroke is treated, the more likely you will recover without disability.

Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability in Canada, and the third leading cause of death.

Types:

Ischemic Stroke

The first type of stroke is known as an ischemic stroke. This occurs when cells do not get enough blood flow to supply them with oxygen. This typically occurs because something blocks blood vessels in your brain, cutting off blood flow. This type of stroke is the most common, and accounts for around 80% of all strokes.

Ischemic strokes typically occur in one of the following ways:

Thrombosis: formation of a clot in your brain.
Embolism: a fragment of a clot that formed elsewhere in your body that breaks free and travels through your blood vessels until it gets stuck in your brain.
Small vessel blockage (lacunar stroke), which can happen when you have long-term, untreated high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or high blood sugar.

Hemorrhagic Stroke

The second type of stroke is called a hemorrhagic stroke. This type of stroke causes bleeding in or around your brain. This occurs in one of two ways:

Bleeding inside of your brain: This happens when a blood vessel inside of your brain tears or breaks open, causing bleeding that puts pressure on the surrounding brain tissue.
Bleeding into the subarachnoid space (the space between your brain and its outer covering): The arachnoid membrane is a thin layer of tissue that surrounds your brain. Damage to blood vessels that pass through the arachnoid membrane can cause a subarachnoid hemorrhage, which is bleeding into the subarachnoid space, putting pressure on the brain tissue underneath.

Stroke Mortality Risk Factors

Several conditions and factors can contribute to a person’s risk of having a stroke.

Age

High Blood Pressure

Heart Disease

Diabetes

Smoking

Excessive Alcohol Consumption

The risk of stroke increases with age. Older individuals are more likely to experience strokes, and the mortality rate from stroke tends to be higher in the elderly.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a significant risk factor for stroke. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of blood clots or ruptures, leading to a stroke. Eating high-fat or high-sugar foods can increase your risk for many types of cancer. You are also more vulnerable to cancer if you do not get enough exercise.

Conditions such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation increase the risk of stroke. Blood clots originating in the heart can travel to the brain and cause a stroke.

Diabetes is associated with an increased risk of stroke, especially if it is poorly controlled. Individuals with diabetes often have other risk factors, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Smoking is a major risk factor for stroke. It can damage blood vessels, raise blood pressure, and contribute to the formation of blood clots.

Heavy and prolonged alcohol use is associated with an increased risk of stroke. Alcohol can raise blood pressure and contribute to other risk factors for stroke.

Benefits of Stroke Prevention

Stroke prevention is crucial for maintaining overall health and well-being. Implementing strategies to prevent strokes offers a range of health benefits for individuals.

Reduced Disability

Stroke prevention measures can prevent the occurrence of debilitating strokes and reduce the likelihood of long-term disability. This allows individuals to maintain independence and functionality in their daily lives.

Improved Quality of Life

Preventing strokes helps individuals maintain better physical and cognitive function, leading to a better quality of life. Stroke survivors often face challenges related to mobility, communication, and daily activities, and prevention efforts aim to minimize these challenges.

Reduced Mortality

Stroke prevention strategies can significantly decrease the risk of experiencing a stroke and, consequently, the risk of stroke-related mortality. Early intervention and lifestyle modifications contribute to improved survival rates.

Management of Risk Factors

Many risk factors for stroke, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking, are modifiable. Prevention efforts focus on identifying and managing these risk factors through lifestyle changes, medication, and regular medical check-ups.

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Diagnostic Testing Suggested

preventative health measures for executive wellness in kelowna

MRI scans to look for abnormalities in anatomy that could affect health.

Spot growths early and address functional issues. Get the full picture of your current state.

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blood tests for overall health and areas of improvement in BC

Bloodwork focused on overall health improvement, including advanced testing for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and nutrition.

Personalized blood assessment to round out the testing battery and support individualized recommendations and tracking.

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CT Coronary Angiogram is a test for lifelong heart health

The most common reason people get a CT angiogram is to check if they have narrowed or blocked coronary arteries. However, you may need a CT angiogram to diagnose any condition involving blood vessels.

Learn More

Blood clot scanning clinic in British Colombia

A Carotid Doppler Ultrasound is a tool for stroke prevention

The primary purpose of a carotid Doppler ultrasound is to screen for and evaluate various conditions related to the carotid arteries, which are major blood vessels in the neck that supply blood to the brain.

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Packages

InvestMed offers thorough health packages designed to meet the individual needs of our patients. Our packages include a battery of personalized medical screenings to proactively identify and address health issues before symptoms occur.

You can choose between a risk-specific package or a comprehensive package to analyze your health and wellbeing.

Our health packages include rapid access to diagnostic testing using state-of-the-art technology, searching for 500+ diseases in the body, including cancer and heart disease.

Each package includes a comprehensive 1 hour physical exam and 1 hour medical review of results with recommendations to achieve optimal health.

Package costs will vary based on individual diagnostic test recommendations. Financing options are available.

Risk-Specific Screening Packages

Cancer Screening Package

Mitigate your cancer risk with preventive screening.

Package starting at $3,999*

MRI
DNA testing – 84 genes for cancer
Mole mapping
Advanced blood work
CT scan
Virtual colonoscopy

Proactive testing can detect changes in your body that could become cancer.

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*Package cost will vary based on individual diagnostic test recommendations. Financing options are available.

Stroke Screening Package

Knowing your risk for stroke can save your life.

$5,999*

MRA – Magnetic resonance angiography
DNA testing – 83 genes for heart conditions
Advanced blood work
Carotid doppler ultrasound
Echocardiogram

Detect your risk of stroke early, even before symptoms present themselves.

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*Package cost will vary based on individual diagnostic test recommendations. Financing options are available.

Heart Disease Screening Package

Early screenings are essential for heart disease prevention.

Package starting at $3,999*

Coronary calcium score
DNA testing – 83 genes for heart conditions
Advanced blood work
Exercise stress test
Echocardiogram
CT coronary angiography

Screening for cardiovascular risk factors before you develop heart disease, can help you prevent it.

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*Package cost will vary based on individual diagnostic test recommendations. Financing options are available.

Comprehensive Screening Packages

Comprehensive Screening Package

Get the right screening tests at the right time.

Packages from $5,999 - $11,999*

Whole body MRI
Coronary calcium score
DEXA scans
Microbiome gut testing
Genetic testing+
Heart health workup
Cancer risk review
Mole mapping
Screen for all material risks

Prevention is key to longevity, whether or not you are presenting symptoms or risk factors.

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*Package cost will vary based on individual diagnostic test recommendations. Financing options are available.

Corporate Services

Please contact us for a custom corporate package. Specialized corporate rates available.

Comprehensive, proactive health plans
Customized screening tests
Extensive medical risk assessments
Preventive approach to healthcare

Proactively manage executive wellness.

FAQ

How do I recognize the warning signs of a stroke?

In order to recognize the warning signs of a stroke, a good trick is to remember the acronym “BE FAST”:

B: Balance. Be watchful for a sudden loss of balance.
E: Eyes. Look out for a sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes. Are they experiencing double vision?
F: Face. Ask the person to smile. Look for a droop on one or both sides of their face, which is a sign of muscle weakness or paralysis.
A: Arms. An individual having a stroke often has muscle weakness on one side. Ask them to raise their arms. If they have one-sided weakness (and did not have it before), one arm will stay higher while the other will sag and drop downward.
S: Speak. Strokes often cause a person to lose their ability to speak. They might slur their speech or have difficulty choosing the right words.
T: Time. Time is critical, so do not wait to get help. If possible, check the time when symptoms start. Telling a healthcare professional when symptoms started can help the provider know what treatment options are best for you.

What exactly does a stroke do to my body?

In a simple way, a stroke is to your brain what a heart attack is to your heart. When a stroke occurs, part of your brain loses its blood supply, which keeps that brain area from getting oxygen. Without oxygen, the affected brain cells become oxygen-starved and stop functioning properly.

If your brain cells go too long without oxygen, they will die. If enough brain cells in an area die, the damage becomes permanent, and you may lose the abilities that area once controlled. However, restoring blood flow may prevent that kind of damage, or at least limit how severe it is. This is why time is critical in treating a stroke.

What are the symptoms of a stroke?

The symptoms of a stroke can include:

Difficulty with or loss of speaking ability
One-sided weakness or paralysis
Loss of muscle control on one side of your face
Sudden loss of one or more senses
Blurred or double vision
Loss of coordination or clumsiness
Dizziness or vertigo
Neck stiffness
Confusion or agitation
Headaches
Fainting

What tests can diagnose a stroke?

There are several different types of scans that can be used to diagnose a stroke, including the following:

Computerized tomography (CT) scan
Lab blood tests
Electrocardiogram (EKG)
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans

How are strokes treated?

Treating a stroke depends on what type of stroke it is.

Ischemic: With ischemic strokes, the most important thing is to restore circulation to the affected area of the brain. If this occurs fast enough, it is sometimes possible to prevent permanent damage or at least limit a stroke’s severity. Restoring circulation typically involves medication, but in some cases may require a catheterization procedure.

Hemorrhagic: In the case of a hemorrhagic stroke, treatment depends on the location and severity of the bleeding. The top priority is reducing blood pressure, as this will reduce the amount of bleeding and prevent it from getting worse. Another treatment option is to improve clotting so the bleeding will stop. Surgery is sometimes necessary to relieve pressure on your brain from accumulated blood.

Why Choose InvestMed

Personalized medical screenings to meet the unique needs of each patient
Rapid access to diagnostic testing for early detection of potential health issues
Emphasis on preventative medicine and prophylactic screening
Helping patients to maintain their overall well-being with cutting edge and state of the art technology