 Acknowledging
the month of May as "Stroke Awareness Month" offers advocates for stroke
awareness, stroke survivors and their families and caregivers an opportunity to
educate the public about the devastating and debilitating effects of stroke. I
offer this page on my sites today exactly one year to the day that I had heart
surgery to repair a PFO that caused my stroke. Last year I woke up from
surgery and still was not sure what the future held as far as being able to
return to work and family responsibilities. I did realize, however, that
on May 1st I was given a new beginning. Today, I give thanks to all who
helped in my recovery, from all the great staff at MGH and especially to my
wife, my real stroke hero for helping me keep the faith and constantly
encouraging me on my "journey".
For more on my story and how I am determined to raise stroke awareness please
visit my blog at know-stroke.org
I posted this page especially today so that you may Know-Stroke and Be Stroke
Smart by:
- Reducing Stroke Risk
- Recognize Stroke Symptoms
- Responding FAST by calling 911
What is stroke?
A stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel or artery, or when a
blood vessel breaks, interrupting blood flow to an area of the brain. When a
stroke occurs, it kills brain cells in the immediate area.
2 types of stroke:
Ischemic strokes can occur two ways and are the most common, accounting
for 84% of strokes.
Hemorrhagic stroke is a second type of stroke which occurs when a blood
vessel in the brain breaks or ruptures. While these stroke are less common,
they are more deadly.
Brain Attack
The term “Brain Attack” gives stroke the most descriptive, realistic and
powerful call to action. A brain attack should warrant the same degree of
seriousness and emergency care as a heart attack. After all, your brain is
your body’s most vital and delicate organ.
Immediate response is crucial because every minute lost, from the onset of
symptoms to the time of emergency contact, cuts into the limited window of
opportunity for intervention.
CALL 911 for immediate assistance.
Treatment is available and is most effective if administered within the first
three hours of experiencing symptoms.
Your chances of walking out of the hospital with little to no disability are
improved by 30 percent if you receive t-PA, the only FDA-approved stroke
treatment available.
Know these stroke facts:
- Stroke is a leading cause of adult disability. Over the course of a
lifetime, four out of every five American families will be touched by stroke.
- There are ways to reduce your risk for stroke- (see below)
- Every 45 seconds someone suffers a stroke, every 3 minutes someone dies
from a stroke.
- Twice as many women die from stroke every year than from breast cancer.
The most common stroke symptoms are:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, especially on one side of
the body
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
If you see someone having these
symptoms or experience any of these symptoms yourself, call 911 immediately.
Treatment can be more effective if given quickly. Every minute counts.
Common misperceptions of stroke…
Stroke is not preventable
Stroke cannot be treated
Stroke only strikes the elderly
Stroke recovery ends after the event/initial trauma to the brain
Realities of stroke are:
Stroke is largely preventable.
Stroke requires emergency treatment. Call 911 immediately if you experience or
see someone with stroke symptoms.
Anyone of any age can have a stroke.
Stroke is a “Brain Attack”
Stroke recovery can continue throughout life.
Stroke Prevention Guidelines:
1. Know your blood pressure. Have it checked at least annually. If it’s
elevated, work with your doctor to keep it under control. Having high blood
pressure, or hypertension, increases stroke risk four to six times.
2. Find out if you have atrial fibrillation - a type or irregular heartbeat. If
left untreated, AF can increase stroke risk four to six times.
3. If you smoke, stop. Smoking doubles stroke risk.
4. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. Recent studies have suggested that
modest alcohol consumption (up to two glasses of wine or alcohol equivalent) may
reduce stroke risk.
5. Find out if you have high cholesterol. High cholesterol can indirectly
increase stroke risk by putting people at greater risk of heart disease.
6. If you’re diabetic, follow your doctor’s recommendation carefully to control
your diabetes. People with diabetes have a higher stroke risk. This may be due
to circulation problems that diabetes can cause.
7. Include exercise in the activities you enjoy in your daily routine. Active
people tend to have lower cholesterol levels. Regular exercise also seems to
slow down or stop the clogging of blood vessels by deposits.
8. Enjoy a lower sodium (salt), lower fat diet. Too much salt may contribute to
high blood pressure and make it more difficult to control. A diet that’s low in
fat will likely include vegetables, lean meats such as chicken and fish, low-fat
dairy products and a limited number of eggs.
9. Ask your doctor if you have circulation problems which increase your risk for
stroke.
10. If you experience any stroke symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.
CALL 911! Every minute counts!
Source:National Stroke Association’s Prevention Advisory Board Stroke Prevention
Guidelines.
Resources:
National Stroke Association (NSA) Hotline:1-800-STROKES and web site
WWW.STROKE.ORG -- provides stroke statistics, information and resources
Offers print and audio-visual material on stroke prevention, treatment and
rehabilitation.
Know-Stroke.org
Know-stroke
also means know your diet and how to improve it to reduce stroke risk- Here's
how to get better nutrition grades
Every May is National Stroke Awareness Month.
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