Explaining StrokeExplaining Stroke__

Stroke is a Brain Attack!Stroke is a Brain Attack!

Be Stroke SmartBe Stroke Smart

Recognize Stroke Symptoms

Reduce Stroke Risk

Respond: At the first sign of stroke, Call 911 or Get to the Hospital Fast!

The “3 R’s” of Stroke:

80% of all Strokes are Preventable!

Definition of StrokeDefinition of Stroke• Sudden brain damage• Lack of blood flow to the brain caused by a

clot or rupture of a blood vessel Ischemic = Clot (most common)

Hemorrhagic = Bleed- Bleeding around brain- Bleeding into brain

Embolic Thrombotic

Brain Attack!Brain Attack!

• Stroke is a “Brain Attack.”

• Stroke happens in the brain not the heart

• Stroke is an emergency. Call 911 for emergency treatment.

Prominent PeopleProminent PeopleWho Had StrokesWho Had Strokes

• 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

Stroke Facts in AmericaStroke Facts in America

• Third leading cause of death in the United States

• 750,000 Americans suffer strokes each year

• 150,000 deaths each year

• 6,000,000 stroke survivors

Stroke Facts in AmericaStroke Facts in America

• A leading cause of adult disability

• Up to 80% or 600,000 strokes are preventable

• Every 45 seconds, someone suffers a stroke

• Twice as many women die from stroke every year than from breast cancer

African Americans & African Americans & StrokeStroke

• Incidence is nearly double that of Caucasians

• African Americans suffer more extensive physical impairments

• Twice as likely to die from stroke

• High incidence of risk factors for stroke– Hypertension– Diabetes– Obesity– Smoking– Sickle cell anemia

Women & StrokeWomen & Stroke

• Stroke kills more than twice as many American women every year as breast cancer

• More women than men die from stroke

• Women over age 30 who smoke and take high-estrogen oral contraceptives have a stroke risk 22 times higher than average

Stroke SymptomsStroke Symptoms

Severe headache

Trouble seeingin one or both eyes

Sudden dizziness

Sudden numbness

Sudden confusionTrouble speaking

If you see someone having any of these symptoms, Get to the Hospital Fast!

or Call 911: Every Minute Counts

Think FAST!

• F = Face: ask the person to smile

• A = Arm: ask the person to raise both arms

• S = Speech: ask the person to speak a simple sentence

• T = Time: to call 911

TIA or Mini-StrokeTIA or Mini-Stroke

• Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) are a warning sign of stroke

• Symptoms of TIAs are same as stroke• Symptoms resolve within minutes to hours• More than 1/3 of TIA patients will have a

stroke• National Stroke Association’s Recurrent

Stroke Prevention Guidelines

The Perceptions of The Perceptions of StrokeStrokeMyth

• 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

The Cost of StrokeThe Cost of Stroke

Indirect Costs38%

$24 BillionDirect Costs

62% $38 Billion

More than $62 Billion Annually

Up to 80% of strokes Up to 80% of strokes are preventable!are preventable!

National Stroke Association developed these guidelines to help people reduce

their risk for stroke…

National Stroke Association’sNational Stroke Association’s Stroke Prevention GuidelinesStroke Prevention Guidelines

1. Know your blood pressure. Have it checked at least annually. If it is elevated, work with your doctor to control it.

2. Find out if you have atrial fibrillation (AF). AF is a type of irregular heart beat.

3. If you smoke, stop.

National Stroke Association’sNational Stroke Association’s Stroke Prevention GuidelinesStroke Prevention Guidelines

(continued)(continued)

4. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.

5. If you have high cholesterol, work with your doctor to control it.

6. If you are diabetic, follow your doctor’s recommendations carefully to control your diabetes.

National Stroke Association’sNational Stroke Association’s

Stroke Prevention GuidelinesStroke Prevention Guidelines (continued)(continued)

7. Include exercise in the activities you enjoy in your daily routine

8. Enjoy a lower sodium (salt), lower fat diet

8. Work with your doctor if you have circulation problems

10. If you experience any stroke symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. Get to the hospital fast or call 911.

Reasons Patients Don’t Reasons Patients Don’t Seek Immediate TreatmentSeek Immediate Treatment

• Don’t recognize symptoms

• Denial

• Think nothing can be done

• Worry about cost

• Think symptoms will disappear

• Fear hospitals

Acute Stroke TreatmentAcute Stroke Treatment

Ischemic stroke (Brain Clot)Clot Buster: Tissue Plasminogen Activator (t-PA)

Devices: Merci Retriever

Hemorrhagic Stroke (Brain Bleed)Clipping

Coiling

Stroke RecoveryStroke Recovery

• 10% of stroke survivors recover almost completely

• 25% recover with minor impairments

• 40% experience moderate to severe impairments requiring special care

• 10% require care within either a skilled-care or other long-term care facility

• 15% die shortly after the stroke

Types of Stroke Types of Stroke RehabilitationRehabilitation

• Physical Therapy (PT)

– Walking, range of movement

• Occupational Therapy (OT)

– Taking care of one’s self

• Speech Language Therapy

– Communication skill, swallowing, cognition

• Recreational Therapy

– Cooking, gardening, etc.

Life at Home for Stroke Life at Home for Stroke Survivors and FamilySurvivors and Family

• Behavior

• Depression & Anger

• Emotional Liability

• One-sided Neglect

• Memory Loss

• Communication Problems

Life at Home for StrokeLife at Home for StrokeSurvivors and FamilySurvivors and Family

• Daily living skills

• Dressing and grooming

• Diet, nutrition and eating difficulties

• Skin care problems

• Pain

• Sexuality/Intimacy

Recovery ServicesRecovery Services

• Rehabilitation Unit in the Hospital

• In-patient Rehabilitation Facility

• Home Bound Therapy

• Home with Outpatient Therapy

• Long-term Care Facility

• Community-based Programs

Reduce the Impact of Reduce the Impact of StrokeStroke

• Stroke is a Brain Attack!– Preventable and treatable

• The “3 R’s” of Stroke– Reduce Risk– Recognize Stroke Symptoms– Respond immediately: Get to the hospital fast,

or call 911. Every minute counts!

National Stroke National Stroke AssociationAssociation

• Reduce the Incidence and Impact of Stroke

• Advocate Stroke Prevention and Public Education

• Promote Professional Education and Training

• Advance Stroke Research

• Serve as a Resource for Stroke Survivors and

Caregivers

NSA MaterialsNSA Materials

National Stroke AssociationNational Stroke Association

Toll-Free Information:

1-800-STROKES (787-6537)

www.stroke.org