Stay a Step Ahead of Stroke

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and the leading cause of adult long-term disability. Your chances of having a stroke go up at age 55 or older, but you can have a stroke at any age. The good news is that 80% of strokes are preventable. "You can lower your stroke risk through a healthy lifestyle and taking care of existing medical conditions," explains Sue Buckman, RN, BSN, Doylestown Hospital's stroke coordinator.

How Does a Stroke Happen?

About 87% of strokes are ischemic, occurring when a clot obstructs an artery, cutting blood flow to the brain, according to the American Stroke Association. Alternatively, a hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, causing bleeding into and around the brain. Sue notes that the problems a person develops from having a stroke depend on which part of the brain is affected and how much damage occurred before blood flow was restored.

The most common effects of a stroke include:

• Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
• Difficulty speaking, slurred speech, or trouble swallowing
• Loss of movement, control, or coordination
• Memory loss
• Personality and behavior changes
• Fatigue
• Ignoring one side of your body
• Mood changes

What is a TIA

A transient ischemic attack (TIA), occurs when a clot temporarily blocks blood flow to the brain but resolves itself, usually within an hour. Symptoms of a TIA include sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking or understanding speech, vision changes, dizziness, and sudden severe headache.

“If you have any of these symptoms, call 9-1-1 at once.” says Sue. “Even though the symptoms clear up, you must seek medical care for a TIA since it's a warning sign you could have a stroke later on.”

Risk Factors for Stroke

Common risk factors for stroke include:

• High blood pressure
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• High cholesterol
• Family history
• Obesity
• Lack of physical activity
• Excessive alcohol consumption

How to Reduce Your Stroke Risk

You can reduce your stroke risk by making lifestyle changes and managing your current health conditions, according to Sue, who offers the following suggestions. 

Lifestyle Changes

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests lifestyle changes, including maintaining a healthy weight. "A diet to reduce stroke risk would include fresh fruits, vegetables, and fiber," says Sue. "Avoid saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, and salt (sodium)."

Being physically active is a terrific way to lower cholesterol, maintain your blood pressure, and keep your weight in check. The US Surgeon General recommends 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity each week for adults and an hour every day for teens and children.

"Smoking is a big risk factor for stroke and other cardiovascular health problems," says Sue. "If you smoke, quitting will lower your stroke risk." Alcohol can raise your blood pressure. The CDC recommends that men limit alcohol to two drinks per day while women should have no more than one alcoholic beverage per day.

Know Your Numbers

Regular checkups can help you manage health and lower your stroke risk. In addition to a physical exam, your doctor will check your blood pressure and weight and may prescribe lab work to check your cholesterol and blood sugar.

Take Care of Existing Medical Conditions

You can optimize your health by collaborating with your healthcare team, making healthy lifestyle choices and following your doctor’s instructions. "High blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease are red flags for stroke risk. You should never stop taking your medication for these conditions without consulting your doctor or pharmacist,” says Sue.

BE FAST* to Recognize a Stroke

The BE FAST acronym is a helpful way to remember how to tell if a person is having a stroke:

Balance: the person is off balance or stumbling, dizzy - Ask the person to walk in a straight line.
Eyes: vision is blurry or double, or there is a loss of vision - Ask the person if he has double vision or trouble seeing out of one or both eyes.
Face: uneven smile, facial drooping, severe headache - Ask the person to smile. Does their smile look uneven?
Arms: Weakness, Numbness - Ask the person to hold both arms straight out. Does one arm drift downward?
Speech: Trouble Speaking, Confusion. Is the person's speech slurred, or does the person have problems producing words?
Time: To Call 9-1-1!
*Note the time when the first symptom appears.

Call 9-1-1 for Stroke Symptoms
Do Not Drive to the Hospital!

The longer your brain is without oxygen, the more damage occurs and the greater your risk of death and disability. The sooner you get to the hospital once you have symptoms, the better chance of recovering without disability from a stroke. There is a time window for medication to be given once symptoms have started, TIME IS BRAIN!

Calling 9-1-1 at the first sign of stroke means treatment begins sooner. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers can:

• Rapidly recognize stroke symptoms versus stroke mimics
• Call the E.D. to give advance notification
• Tell family/friends to go to the hospital with the patient to supply information
• Start IV, cardiac monitoring, and oxygen if necessary

Prepare to Share Key Details

Be prepared with the information and share it with the EMS providers and the Emergency Department team.

• Time symptoms started or last time the person seemed normal
• Medications or a medications list
• A phone number for family, the power of attorney, and someone who knows the patient’s medical history

Learn More

More information is available by visiting Stroke Care at Doylestown Hospital.

Further Reading

• More information about stroke prevention is available from the American Stroke Association and The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

*BE FAST was developed by Intermountain Healthcare as an adaptation of the FAST model implemented by the American Stroke Association. Reproduced with permission from Intermountain Healthcare. Copyright 2011, Intermountain Health Care