Transcript Face Stroke, Before it Faces You Building Stroke Awareness in Maine Cardiovascular Health Program.

Face Stroke, Before it Faces You
Building Stroke
Awareness in Maine
Cardiovascular Health Program
Introduction
Do you know a friend or relative who has had a
stroke, or have you ever had a stroke yourself?
Where in the body does a stroke happen?
Facts About Stroke
• 4th leading cause of death and leading cause of
adult disability in Maine and the United States
• Among the 6 New England States, Maine has the
highest stroke death rate
• Without treatment, most people who have a stroke
will have moderate to severe impairment
• Stroke affects people of all ages
What is a stroke?
• Occurs when blood flow to the brain is
interrupted
• Brain cells in the immediate area begin to die
because they stop getting the oxygen and
nutrients they need to function
• Sometimes called a “brain attack”
Three Types of Strokes
• Mini-Stroke - or Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIA)
• Ischemic caused by blood clot
• Hemorrhagic caused by bleeding
Mini-Stroke or TIA
• Brief episodes of confusion
• Difficulty speaking or understanding
• Visual problems, dizziness or loss
of balance
• Warning signal for major ischemic stroke
• 30% of strokes are preceded by
mini-strokes
• Call 9-1-1
Ischemic Stroke
• Clot blocks flow of blood to brain
• Over 80% of strokes are ischemic
• Clot busting drugs
must be given by a physician
within 3 hours of symptom
– TIME is vital!
onset
Hemorrhagic Stroke
• Bleeding in the brain caused by burst blood
vessel or aneurysm
• Sudden severe headache
is a common sign
• Can be treated
with surgery
Stroke Can Lead to Disability
Loss of ability to:
• Walk
• Talk
•
•
•
•
See
Take care of oneself
Read and write
Drive
Symptoms of Stroke
Any one of the warning signs is a reason to call 9-1-1.
Sudden…
• Numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg
• Slurred speech; loss of speech
• Blurred vision; loss of vision
• Dizziness or loss of balance
• Severe headache
Go in an Ambulance
• Person having a stroke will be seen more quickly
• EMTs communicate with ER doctors
• ER can prepare for arrival
• EMTs can monitor condition and
begin treatment
• Time lost is brain lost
Delay can be Deadly
• Patient delay is the biggest reason why people
do not get care as quickly as needed.
• Do not wait more than a few minutes—
5 at the most—to call 9-1-1.
Why do we delay?
• Think symptoms are due to something else
• Afraid or unwilling to admit symptoms are serious
• Embarrassed about:
– “Causing a scene”
– Having a false alarm/bothering EMTs
• Do not understand the need for getting to the
hospital fast
Uncontrollable Risk Factors
• Age
• Race/Ethnicity
• Family history of stroke or early heart disease
• Previous stroke, heart attack or other signs of heart
disease
Controllable Risk Factors
• High Blood Pressure
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• High Cholesterol
• Physical inactivity
Lifestyle Changes
• Reduce intake of fatty foods and eat more fruits
and vegetables
• Walk 30 minutes a day
• Exercise prevents stroke, heart disease and other
conditions
Check out: www.healthymainewalks.org
Act Quickly!
With any ONE of the stroke symptoms…
Call 911 Immediately!
Face Stroke
• Learn stroke warning signs.
• Talk with family and friends about warning signs
and calling 9-1-1.
• Talk to your doctor about stroke and heart attack
risk and what to do to reduce your risk
• Watch for signs in friends and family and act
quickly – call 9-1-1.
For More Information:
• Local Contact:
• Maine CDC Cardiovascular Health Program
email: [email protected]
www.mainehearthealth.org
Resources:
• American Stroke Association (ASA)
www.strokeassociation.org 1-888-4-STROKE
• Brain Attack Coalition (BAC)
www.stroke-site.org
• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke/stroke.htm
• National Stroke Association (NSA)
www.stroke.org 1-800-STROKES
• Your Local Healthy Maine Partnership: Physical activity, nutrition and
tobacco resources www.healthymainepartnerships.org