Featured in The Red Door August 2008
STROKES
This year, about 780,000 Americans will have a new or recurrent stroke. A stroke, which is a type of cardiovascular disease, affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. There are two types of strokes: (1) an ischemic stroke occurs when a clot blocks an artery. This is the most common type of stroke and accounts for about 85% of all strokes. (2) a hemorrhagic or bleeding stroke is caused by a ruptured blood vessel within the brain. Both types of strokes interrupt the blood flow and thus the oxygen flow to a part of the brain. When this occurs, the cells in the affected area of the brain begin to die. Depending on the involved area, a stroke can cause paralysis, and/or difficulties with speech, language and vision.
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is often referred to as a “mini stroke”. It is a “warning” stroke and a strong indicator of a possible impending major stroke. A TIA occurs when a blood clot temporarily clogs an artery, and part of the brain does not receive the blood it needs. The warning signs are the same as a stroke. The symptoms occur rapidly and may last just a short time, usually less than 5 minutes. In a TIA, when the blood clot resolves, the symptoms disappear. However, a TIA is still a medical emergency and should be treated as such.
Stroke risk factors fall in to 2 categories.
Risk factors that can be modified or controlled:
- High Blood pressure
- Tobacco use – cigarette smoking is the #1 preventable risk factor for strokes
- Diabetes mellitus
- Carotid artery disease
- Atrial fibrillation
- Other heart disease
- Sickle cell disease
- High cholesterol
- Physical inactivity and obesity
- Alcohol use and drug abuse
Risk factors that cannot be changed
- Increasing age
- Gender – higher incidence in men than women
- Heredity
- Race – higher incidence in African Americans
Early detection and intervention are the keys to a good outcome. For an ischemic stroke, the clot-dissolving drug, tPA (tissue plasminogen activator), can reduce or eliminate long term disability. In order to be effective, tPA must be given within 3 hours after an ischemic stroke begins. Generally, only 3-5% of people who have a stroke seek medical attention in time to receive this type of treatment. For a hemorrhagic stroke, the treatment is often surgical intervention.
KNOW THE WARNING SIGNS:
· Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, usually 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.
Unfortunately there is a general lack of awareness of warning signs. If you are with someone whom you think may be having a stroke, do the following:
· Ask the person to SMILE – look for asymmetry
· Ask the person to RAISE BOTH ARMS – look for weakness on one side
· Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE – “It is sunny outside today.”
If a person has trouble with any of these tasks, call 911 immediately, describe the symptoms and note the time they first occurred. Both a stroke and a TIA are medical emergencies. Remember - every second counts.
It is better to call 911 than to take someone to the Emergency Room yourself.
For more information: look for information sheets on the Parish Hall table or go to www.americanstrokeassociation.
