Better Health. No Hassles.

Stroke & Hypertension

Awareness

By Sokan Hunro, PAC, MPHJune 3rd, 2010

Better Health. No Hassles.

• Did You Know? 

• Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States, and a leading cause of severe, long-term disability.

• About 700,000 Americans will have a new or recurrent stroke this year – that’s someone every 45 seconds.

• Over 150,000 people will die from a stroke this year.

•  At age 40 and older, 21% of men and 24% of women who survive a first stroke will have another one within one year.

Stroke

Better Health. No Hassles.

Stroke

• Types & Causes of Stroke  

• A stroke occurs when there's a problem with the amount of blood in your brain.

• I. Ischemic strokes: • Too little blood in the brain

• Make up about 87 percent of strokes

• Occur when the arteries to your brain are narrowed or clogged up by a plaque buildup (cholesterols, blood clots or other “foreign bodies”)

II. Hemorrhagic strokes:• The MOST DANGEROUS kind of stroke.

• Occur when a blood vessel in your brain leaks or ruptures, resulting a massive bleeding.

• Result from a number of conditions that affect your blood vessels, including uncontrolled high blood pressure and weak spots in your blood vessel walls (aneurysms).

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Signs & Symptoms

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• If you think someone may be having a stroke, act F.A.S.T. and do this simple F.A.S.T. test:– FACE - Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face

droop? – ARMS - Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm

drift downward? – SPEECH - Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence.

Are the words slurred? Can he/she repeat the sentence correctly?

– TIME - If the person shows any of these symptoms, time is critically important.

• Call 911 or get to the hospital FAST. Brain cells are dying!

F.A.S.T

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How to Reduce Your Risk

• Know your numbers: Get your blood pressure and cholesterols (total, good and bad cholesterols) checked regularly.

• Normal values for:• BP: 120/80 (range: 110/75 - 130/85)• Total cholesterol: 100 – 199 mg/dL• Triglyceride: 0 – 149 mg/dL• Good cholesterol (HDL):>39 mg/dL• Bad Cholesterol (LDL): 0 – 99 mg/dL• Fasting Blood sugar: 65 – 99 mg/dL• Hemoglobin A1c: 4.8 – 5.6    

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How to Reduce Your Risk

• If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterols, and heart disease; make sure you follow your doctor's treatment recommendations.

• Blood pressure & blood glucose can be checked in the Wellness Center on a walk-in basis during the regular business hours. No appointment necessary.

• Cholesterol & and Hgb A1c testing’s require a blood draw and are also offered by the Wellness Center.

• Eat a balanced diet emphasizing a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, low-fat or non-fat dairy products, fish, legumes and sources of protein low in saturated fat.

• Exercise regularly -- 30 minutes a day if you are not overweight; 60 - 90 minutes a day if you are overweight.    

Better Health. No Hassles.

How to Reduce Your Risk

• Don’t smoke – if you smoke, stop.

• Do not drink more than 1 to 2 alcoholic drinks a day.

• Schedule regular visits with your doctor.

• You may also schedule to have the physical and blood test done at the Wellness Center. • It’s FREE! Plus, you’ll get a $25.00 gift card if you get

both a physical and a blood test done at the same time.

• So, please call or email me ASAP if you have not had your physical and/or blood test done yet within the past year

References: American Heart Association, American Stroke Association and The Mayo Clinic