Stroke Recognition and Prevention

Vicki Fahey, RN, MSN

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

High Blood Pressure

Salt restriction

Weight loss

Exercise

Medication

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

Food Label

Physical Inactivity

Include exercise in your daily routine.

Physical inactivity affects

Blood pressure

Diabetes

Weight

Stress

Physical Inactivity

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.

Stress

Healthy ways to cope with stress

Talk to a friend

Professional help

Exercise

Journal writing

Carotid Artery Disease

Carotid Artery Disease

Carotid bruit

Get regular medical check ups

Carotid bruitRegular medical check ups

Carotid Artery Disease

Peripheral Arterial 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

a

Carotid endarterectomy

Carotid stent

YOU CanReduce the Impact of Stroke

Remember the 3 R’s of Stroke!

Reduce Risk

Recognize Stroke Symptoms

Respond immediately: Call 911

Every minute matters!ACT FAST