Explaining Stroke __________________ Stroke is a Brain Attack!

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 immediately!

The 3 R’s of Stroke:

Stroke FactsStroke Facts

• Third leading cause of death in the United States

• 795,000 Americans suffer strokes each year

• 144,000 deaths each year- From 1995 to 2005, the stroke death rate fell 29.7%

• 6,000,000 stroke survivors

Stroke FactsStroke Facts

• The leading cause of adult disability

• Up to 80% of all strokes are preventable

• Every 45 seconds, someone suffers a stroke

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

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

Well-known Stroke Well-known Stroke SurvivorsSurvivors

• 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

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 (makes up approximately 85% of all strokes)

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.

Stroke SymptomsStroke Symptoms

Sudden and severeheadache

Trouble seeingin one or both eyes

Sudden dizzinessTrouble walking

Sudden numbnessor weakness of face, arm or leg

Sudden confusionTrouble speaking

If you observe any of these symptoms,call 911 immediately.

Every minute matters!

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 attack (TIA) is a warning sign of a future stroke - more than 1/3 of TIA patients will have a future stroke

• Symptoms of TIAs are the same as stroke• TIA symptoms can resolve within minutes or

hours• It is important to seek immediate medical

attention if you suspect that you are having or have had a TIA

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 AnnuallyThe estimated direct and indirect cost of stroke is

68.9 billion in 2009

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

National Stroke Association developed the following 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) – a type of irregular heartbeat. If you have it, work with your doctor to manage it.

3. If you smoke, stop.


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

5. Know your cholesterol number. If it is high, work with your doctor to control it.

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


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7. Include exercise in your daily routine

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

9. If you have circulation problems, work with your doctor to improve your circulation.

10. If you experience any stroke symptoms, call 911 immediately. Every minute matters!

Some Reasons People Don’t Seek Some Reasons People Don’t Seek Immediate TreatmentImmediate Treatment

• Don’t recognize symptoms

• Denial

• Think nothing can be done

• Worry about cost

• Think symptoms will go away

• Fear or don’t trust hospitals

Acute Stroke Acute Stroke TreatmentsTreatments

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

Clot-removing devices: Merci Retriever, Penumbra

Hemorrhagic Stroke (Brain Bleed)ClippingCoiling

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 skills, swallowing, cognition

Recreational Therapy– Cooking, gardening

Life Changes for Stroke Life Changes for Stroke Survivors and FamilySurvivors and Family

• Behavior

• Depression & Anger

• Emotional Liability

• One-sided Neglect

• Memory Loss

• Communication Problems

• Daily living skills

• Dressing and grooming

• Diet, nutrition and eating difficulties

• Skin care problems

• Pain

• Sexuality/Intimacy

Types of Recovery Types of Recovery ServicesServices

• Rehabilitation unit in the hospital

• In-patient rehabilitation gacility

• Home-bound therapy

• Home with outpatient therapy

• Long-term care facility

• Community-based programs

YOU CanYOU CanReduce the Impact of Reduce the Impact of

StrokeStrokeStroke is a Brain Attack

and is often preventable and treatable

Remember the 3 R’s of Stroke and Act FAST!– Reduce Risk

– Recognize Stroke Symptoms

– Respond immediately: Call 911


National Stroke AssociationNational Stroke AssociationWhat we do…What we do…

• Reduce the incidence and impact of stroke

• Advocate for stroke prevention and public education

• Provide professional education and training

• Provide and promote resources for stroke survivors

and care-partners

• Advance stroke research

National Stroke AssociationNational Stroke Association

1-800-STROKES (787-6537)

www.stroke.org

Documents

Explaining Stroke __________________ Stroke is a Brain Attack!