Our Maine Street's Aroostook Issue 4 : Spring 2010 | Page 42

Stroke. Are You at Risk?

by Hope Walton RN, Professional Home Nursing

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the
United States. Survivors of a stroke can be left with major
disability making normal activities of daily living difficult
to manage. Knowing your risk factors and understanding
how to take care of your health is important in preventing a
stroke.
What is a stoke?

A stroke is when blood flow carrying nutrients and
oxygen can’t reach areas of the brain due to a blood clot
(ischemic stroke) or bleeding of a ruptured blood vessel
(hemorrhagic stroke) in the brain. When the area of the
brain affected can not get the blood supply it needs, it begins
to die. Most strokes are caused by blood clots.

What are the risk factors for stroke?

There are some risk factors for stroke you can’t change
(uncontrollable) and some you can change (controllable).
Uncontrollable risk factors that can’t be changed
- Age
- Heredity (family history) and Ethnicity (race)
- Prior stroke, heart attack or TIA (mini stroke)

Controllable risk factors that can be changed
- High blood pressure
- Cigarette smoking
- Diabetes
- Poor diet
- Physical inactivity and being overweight
What are the symptoms of a stroke?
- High blood cholesterol

Know the symptoms so you can recognize them and - Atrial fibrillation and other heart disease
take the time to teach others stroke symptoms. A stroke is a - Carotid artery disease and Peripheral Artery disease
medical emergency and every second during a stroke counts
because time lost it brain lost!
What can I do to reduce my risk factors for stroke?

Talk with your health care provider about your risk
Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg,
factors for stroke. Know what your own risk factors are so
especially on one side of the body
you can work on changing them for better health.
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding

Have your blood pressure checked. High blood
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
pressure is the leading cause of stroke and an important
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or
controllable risk factor for stroke. Take any medication that
coordination
has been prescribed for high blood pressure as directed.
Sudden severe headache with no known cause
Have your cholesterol checked. Know your numbers and
what they mean.

If you or someone you are with has one or more of
Inform your health care provider of your family
the signs, immediately call 911, or your local emergency history. Include any history of high blood pressure, high
medical services (EMS) so an ambulance can be sent for cholesterol, heart disease and stroke.
you. It is also very important to know the time when the
If you smoke; talk to your provider about ways to
stroke symptoms started. Treatment with a clot busting stop smoking.
medication called t-PA (tissue plasminogen activator) can
If you are not physical active and are overweight;
be given at the hospital within three hours of when stroke Being inactive, overweight, or both can increase your risks
symptoms started. This medication can reduce long term for diabetes, high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure,
disability and is used for stroke symptoms caused by a blood heart disease and stroke. Talk to your provider first before
clot, the most common type of stroke.
starting any exercise program. Work up to at least 30 minutes
of activity a day to decrease your risk factors.