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Your 5-Minute Guide to Stroke (or Brain Attack)
Prevention and Survival
What is a Stroke?
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The Early Warning Signs of a
Potential Stroke |
| A stroke is a "brain attack". Blood and oxygen are
blocked off from reaching vital brain cells and the brain cells die. There are 3 types of
stroke; a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked by fatty deposits or blocked by a
blood clot, or a blood vessel ruptures.
YOU CAN LOWER YOUR RISK FOR STROKE - Knowing the factors that put you at
risk for a stroke is the beginning of working towards preventing a stroke. By making some
important lifestyle changes today, you will increase your chances of preventing or
surviving a stroke. |
- A numbness, weakness or paralysis of the face, arms or legs, usually on one side of the
body.
- Blurred vision or a loss of vision in one or both eyes.
- Difficulty speaking or understanding words.
- Dizziness or loss of balance and coordination.
- Difficulty swallowing.
A sudden, severe headache.
| These symptoms often occur in combinations.
Seek medical attention immediately. |
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Common Medical Terms You Need to Know to
Understand Strokes
| ANEURYSM - A weak spot in
the wall of a blood vessel, present since birth. High blood pressure stretches the weak
spot, thinning the wall and eventually bursting the vessel. This is what causes a
hemorrhagic stroke. |
EMBOLIC STROKE -
The most common type of stroke. A blood clot travels to the brain from another part of the
body. When the clot gets to the smaller blood vessels in the brain, it gets stuck and cuts
off the blood supply. |
| HEMORRHAGIC STROKE - A
rupture of a blood vessel in the brain, an aneurysm. The least common of the three types
of stroke. |
NEUROLOGIST - A doctor who
specializes in the brain and nervous system. If you display any of the early symptoms of a
stroke, you should make an appointment with a neurologist. |
| THROMBOTIC STROKE - A clot
forms inside a blood vessel in the neck or brain. These clots are formed from the fatty
deposits lining the blood vessels which narrows the vessels. This is the most common type
of stroke. |
TIA - A transient ischemic attack or
mini-stroke. This is a temporary interruption of the blood flow and is a serious early
warning sign of a stroke. See a doctor immediately. |
Are You at Risk? Take this simple test to see if you might be at risk for a stroke.
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YES |
NO |
| 1. Have either of your parents, grandparents or any one of your siblings
or cousins had a stroke? |
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| 2. Are you 65 or older? |
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| 3. Do you have diabetes? |
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| 4. Do you have more than 6 alcoholic drinks a week? |
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| 5. Do you have high blood pressure? |
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| 6. Do you smoke? |
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| 7. Do you have high cholesterol? |
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| 8. Do you exercise less than 3 times a week? |
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| 9. Are you more than 20% over your ideal weight? |
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| 10. Have you experienced dizziness or blurred vision? |
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| If you answered yes to more than one question, than your risk for a stroke
is increased. But there are many preventive measures you can take to reduce your risk. |
total ____________ |
total ____________ |
Your
Stroke (or Brain Attack) Prevention Course
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It's never too late to start preventing a stroke (or brain attack). The
best approach is to make a few positive lifestyle changes. |
| EAT HEALTHY - A
diet low in fatty foods and high in fiber can help you to lost weight and lower your blood
pressure. High blood pressure is the most important known risk factor for stroke. Here's
a few changes you can make in your diet today to start you on the path to healthy eating
habits:
| 1. Eat fish and poultry instead of red meat. |
| 2. Drink skim or 1% fat milk. |
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START EXERCISING
- A sedentary lifestyle greatly increases your risk for a stroke. The easiest exercise to
begin is walking. A brisk walk for 20 to 30 minutes, four times a week, will reduce
cholesterol levels and blood pressure, and strengthen your heart and lungs, thereby
reducing your risk of stroke. Choose activities you like to do, walking, swimming,
cycling, rowing, dancing. To be fit, it's important to be consistent. Set a schedule. Walk
every morning for example. Begin exercising for 20 minutes at a time, then gradually
increase the time up to 60 minutes. |
3.Use olive oil for cooking.
| 4. Avoid fried foods. |
| 5. Trim fat off meat and poultry before cooking. |
| 6. Broil, bake, roast, steam, sauté, stir-fry or microwave your food. |
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STOP SMOKING - If
you smoke cigarettes, you have a 3 times greater risk of a stroke. If you smoke and have
high blood pressure, your risk for a stroke increases 20 times. The risk declines for
those who quit smoking. If you have difficulty quitting on your own, join a stop smoking
group, use a patch, consult with your doctor on the best way to do this, but do it. |
7. Avoid gravy and thick sauces.
| 8. Eat only 304 eggs a week. |
| 9. Reduce salt intake to 2400 milligrams a day. |
| 10. Switch from white bread and white rice to whole-grain bread and brown
rice. |
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REDUCE YOUR ALCOHOL INTAKE - If you drink alcoholic beverages,
only 6 to 8 drinks a week, your risk of a hemorrhagic stroke is twice that of a
non-drinker. If you are a heavy drinker (more than 8 drinks a week), your risk is three
times greater. |
11. Eat fiber-rich cereal for breakfast.
| 12. Eat the skin of your apple. |
| 13. Increase fruit and vegetable servings to 5 a day. |
| 14. Drink 8 glasses of water a day. What
is Normal?
There are 3 factors that if within normal range greatly reduce your risk
for a stroke. Check your numbers to see if they are normal. If not, work with your doctor
to lower them.
Normal -------- Mine
Blood Pressure
-------Under 140/90 ---____
Cholesterol
-----------Under 200-------____
Weight
----Within 20% of your ideal weight
--------------------____ |
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GET ANNUAL CHECKUPS - have a yearly routine physical exam. Discuss fully and honestly with your
doctor all of your possible risk factors. Your doctor should check your blood pressure,
cholesterol and blood sugar levels. have an ECG and an EEG test to detect any
abnormalities of the heart and any coronary artery disease. Do not ignore any TIA symptoms you may have had. More detailed
tests may be needed, such as an ultrasound test of the main arteries in your neck to
detect obstructions. You may also have a CT scan or MRI to identify any areas of damages
blood vessels in the brain. Follow your Doctor's recommendations to reduce your chances of
stroke. |
Immediate Steps To Take
Today
1. Share this 5-minute guide with your loved ones.
2.Make lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of stroke.
3. Get your blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked.
4. Beware of the warning signs of stroke and see a physician if you experience symptoms.
5. Begin your stroke prevention course today! |
THE ROLE OF
CHOLESTEROL
The higher the cholesterol level in
our blood, the greater the risk of blood vessel blockage (vascular disease). A stroke,
heart attack or blocked vessels in the legs are the most common examples of vascular
disease.
The liver makes cholesterol from fat
- primarily saturated fat. The fat is found in animal products. Almost no fat is found in
plant products such as fruits, vegetables and grains. The fat in coconut, palm and palm
kernel are the major sources of saturated fat in plants.
People should pay close attention to
how much saturated fat they eat. If, in spite of eating a low fat diet, you cannot lower
your high cholesterol level, you may need t take medication prescribed by a doctor. |
The 6 Steps You Can Take When
Someone is Having a Stroke . . .
1. Stay Calm |
4. Check for consciousness. If conscious, ask about stroke
medications the person might be taking. Is he carrying any medications that might help the
current situation? Ask for his' doctor's name and phone number. Call the doctor and alert
him to the situation. Inform the doctor the medical emergency help is on the way. If you
are on the phone with a 911 dispatcher, request that the dispatcher call the doctor. |
| 2. Call 9-1-1. Tell the dispatcher what's happening and report your exact
location. Request an ambulance. Stay on the phone, if possible, and with the stroke
victim. If you don't have 911 in your area, call the operator or the police and request
emergency medical help. |
5. Cover the person with a blanket. Don't let the person get too hot or
too cold. |
| 3. Lay the person on his side to prevent choking. |
6. Stay with the person until emergency medical help arrives. |
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