Be Stroke Smart
Recognize: stroke symptoms
Reduce: stroke risk
Respond: at the first sign of stroke, Call 911 immediately!
The 3 R’s of Stroke:
Stroke Facts
Fourth leading cause of death in the USThird leading cause of death in women
Leading cause of adult disability
795,000 Americans suffer strokes each year
6,000,000 stroke survivors
Well-known Stroke Survivors
Mary Kay Ash
Charles Schultz
Harry Caray
Charles Dickens
Ed Koch
Ted Williams
President Gerald Ford
Teddy Bruschi
Sharon Stone
Della Reese
Kirk Douglas
Roy Horn of Siegfried & Roy
Explaining Stroke__________________
Stroke is a Brain AttackSame degree of emergency as a heart attack
Call to action!
Definition of StrokeSudden brain damage from lack of blood flow to
the brain caused by a blockage or rupture of a blood vessel
Ischemic = Blockage 85% of all strokes
Hemorrhagic = BleedLess common
Embolic Thrombotic
Brain Attack!
• Stroke is a “Brain Attack.”
• Stroke happens in the brain not the heart
• Stroke is an emergency. Call 911 for emergency treatment.
Stroke Symptoms
Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or legTrouble seeing in one or both eyesTrouble speakingSudden, severe headacheSudden confusion or dizziness
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) Mini-stroke
Warning sign of a stroke
Symptoms same as stroke symptoms
Symptoms resolve within minutes or hours
More than 1/3 of people will have a future stroke
Think FAST!
F = Face: ask the person to smile-does one side of the face droop or is it numb?
A = Arm: ask the person to raise both arms-does one arm drift down?
S = Speech: ask the person to repeat a simple sentence
T = Time: to call 911
Stroke Recognition
If you experience any stroke symptoms or witness anyone experiencing symptoms,
call 911 immediately.
Why Acting Right Away is Critical
Every minute matters!
The sooner one is treated with lifesaving treatment, the better the outcome.
tPA, a clot-busting drug, may improve the chance of getting better, but only if one gets help right away.
Best way to treat a stroke is to prevent it!
Up to 80% of strokes may be prevented!
National Stroke Association developed guidelines to help people reduce
their risk for stroke.
Stroke Prevention
Risk factors: Actions or conditions that may lead to a stroke
Uncontrollable risk factors: Cannot be changedControllable risk factors: Can be changed
Uncontrollable Risk Factors
Age: Risk increases as we ageRace: African Americans and Hispanics at greater riskHeredity: Family historyHistory of a prior TIA/strokeFibromuscular dysplasiaPatent foramen ovale (hole in heart)
Controllable Risk Factors
High blood pressureSmokingAtrial fibrillationDiabetesHigh blood cholesterolPhysical inactivity and obesityExcessive alcohol intakeDepressionCarotid artery disease
High Blood Pressure
Increases risk 4-6 x
Know your blood pressure: 120/80 mmHg
If no symptoms, you do NOT know you have it.
If you have high blood pressure Control it Check it regularly
Smoking
Increases risk 2xIf you smoke, quit.
Nicotine patch/gumSupport groupSmoking cessation program
Atrial Fibrillation
Increases risk 4-6 x
Atrial fibrillation - irregular heartbeat If you have it, work with your doctor to manage it.
Diabetes
You may have no symptoms, so have blood sugar checked annually.
If you are diabetic, follow your doctor’s recommendations to control it.
High Cholesterol
Discuss the new guidelines
with your doctor.
Know your cholesterol numbers.
Modify the numbers through diet
and/or medication.
Cholesterol Profile
Total Cholesterol Goal: < 200 mg/dL
Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol: < 100 mg/dL
High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol: > 50 mg/dL
Triglycerides Goal: < 150 mg/dL
Bad Fats: Saturated and Trans Fats
Saturated Fats: Animal products (fatty meat, butter, eggs, cheese, palm oils, pork, skin from chicken, lard and whole milk products)
Trans Fats: Stick margarine, baked goods, fast food, cookies, crackers, frozen food
Use skim milk, mozzarella cheese. Limit red meat.Eat more fish and chicken
Sources of Good Fats
Olive and canola oil Avocados Olives Almonds, walnuts and other nutsSalmon TunaMackerel
Physical Inactivity
Include exercise in your daily routine.
Physical inactivity affects
Blood pressure
Diabetes
Weight
Stress
Obesity
Obesity leads toHypertension Diabetes
Maintain a healthy weight by making healthy food choices.
Excessive Alcohol Intake
Excessive alcohol can increase blood pressure and triglycerides.
If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.
Depression Eat and smoke more
Exercise less
Increase blood pressure
Affect blood sugar
Discuss with your doctor.
Treatment may be recommended.
Carotid bruit
Get regular medical check ups
Carotid bruitRegular medical check ups
Carotid Artery Disease
Peripheral Arterial Disease
Predictor of stroke and heart attack.
Know if you have peripheral arterial disease.
Have the blood flow in your legs checked annually.
The Perceptions of StrokeMyth
Stroke is not preventable
Stroke cannot be treated
Stroke only strikes the elderly
Stroke happens in the heart
Stroke recovery ends after 6 months
Reality
Up to 80% percent of strokes are preventable
Stroke requires emergency treatment
Anyone can have a stroke
Stroke is a “Brain Attack”
Stroke recovery can last a lifetime
Reasons People Do Not Seek Immediate Treatment
Do not recognize symptoms
Denial
Think nothing can be done
Worry about cost
Think symptoms will go away
Fear or don’t trust hospitals
How can strokes be prevented?
Know the warning signs Know your risk factorsModify your risk factorsObtain regular medical check upsSee immediate attention if you experience symptoms of a TIA or stroke
How can strokes be prevented?
MedicationHigh blood pressureHigh cholesterolAtrial fibrillation
Treatment of carotid artery disease
YOU CanReduce the Impact of Stroke
Remember the 3 R’s of Stroke!
Reduce Risk
Recognize Stroke Symptoms
Respond immediately: Call 911