THINK F.A.S.T.
Knowing the facts and being able to recognize the signs and symptoms of stroke could help save a life. Immediate treatment may minimize the long-term effects of a stroke and even prevent death. WHAT IS STROKE? Stroke is —
RISK FACTORS NON-MODIFIABLE RISK FACTORS
• A disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. Age • The No. 3 cause of death in the United States behind cardiac disease • The chance of having a stroke approximately doubles for each decade of life after age 55. and cancer. Family History A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the • Your stroke risk is greater if a parent, grandparent, sister or brother has brain is either blocked by a clot (ischemic stroke) or bursts (hemorrhagic had a stroke. stroke). Part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs so it Race starts to die. Eighty (80) percent of all strokes are ischemic. • African-Americans have a much higher risk of death from stroke. This is partly because of this patient population has higher risks of high blood THE FACTS pressure, diabetes and obesity. • One (1) in three (3) adults have high blood pressure, but 21 percent do Gender • Stroke is more common in men than women. However, more than half not know it. of total stroke deaths occur in women. • About 76.4 million people age 20-and-older have high blood pressure. Prior Stroke, TIA or Heart Attack • Someone has a stroke approximately every 40 seconds. • The risk of stroke for someone who has already had one is many times • On average, someone dies of a stroke every four minutes. that of a person who has not. A person who has had one or more TIAs is • Approximately 795,000 people will have a new or recurrent stroke this year. almost 10 times more likely to have a stroke than someone of the same • Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability in the United States. age and gender who has not. If you have had a heart attack, you are at a higher risk of having a stroke. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
MODIFIABLE RISK FACTORS
If a stroke occurs and blood flow can’t reach the region that controls a High Blood Pressure particular body function, that part of the body will not work as it should. • High blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke and the most important controllable risk factor for stroke. SUDDEN SYMPTOMS Cigarette Smoking • Numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side • The nicotine and carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke damages the of the body cardiovascular system by narrowing blood vessels, increasing heart rate • Confusion, trouble speaking or understanding and producing fibrinogen which causes an increase in clot formation. • Vision trouble in one or both eyes Peripheral Artery Disease • Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination • PAD is the narrowing of blood vessels carrying blood to the legs and • Severe headache with no known cause arm muscles caused by fatty buildups of plaque in artery walls. People with PAD have a higher risk of carotid artery disease, which raises the WHAT YOU SHOULD DO risk of stroke. Carotid or Other Artery Disease IMMEDIATELY CALL 9-1-1 or the emergency medical service (EMS) • The carotid arteries in your neck supply blood to the brain. A carotid number in your area so an ambulance can be sent. Check the time so you’ll artery narrowed by fatty deposits may become blocked by a clot. know when the first symptoms appeared. Atrial Fibrillation and Other Heart Disease • Atrial fibrillation occurs when the heart’s upper chambers quiver instead It is very important to take immediate action. If given between 3-4.5 hours of beating effectively, which can let the blood pool and clot. A stroke since the start of symptoms, a clot-busting drug called tPA may reduce could occur when a clot breaks off, enters the bloodstream and lodges in long-term disability for the most common type of stroke. tPA is the only an artery leading to the brain. FDA-approved medication for the treatment of stroke within the 3-4.5 High Blood Cholesterol/Poor Diet hour window of stroke symptom onset. • People with high blood cholesterol have an increased risk for stroke. Diets high in saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol can raise blood TRANSIENT ISCHEMIC ATTACK (TIA) cholesterol levels. Diets high in sodium (salt) can contribute to increased blood pressure. Diets with excess calories can contribute to obesity. • A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is often referred to as a “warning stroke” Physical Inactivity and Obesity or “mini-stroke.” It produces stroke-like symptoms but causes no lasting • Being inactive, obese, or both can increase your risk of high blood damage. Recognizing and treating TIAs can reduce the risk of a major pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Go stroke. on a brisk walk, take the stairs and do whatever you can to make your • TIAs should be considered a medical emergency and followed up life more active. Try to get a total of at least 30 minutes of activity on immediately with a healthcare professional. most or all days. • The usual TIA symptoms are the same as those of stroke, but temporary. Alcohol Abuse The short duration of these symptoms and lack of permanent brain • Alcohol abuse can lead to multiple medical complications, including injury is the main difference between TIA and stroke. stroke. A recommendation of no more than two drinks per day for men and no more than one drink per day for women best reflects the science for alcohol and stroke risk.
THE F.A.S.T. TEST
Use the F.A.S.T. test for recognizing and responding to stroke symptoms
F A
Face | Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop? Arms | Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S
Speech | Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Does the speech sound slurred or strange?
T
Time | If you observe any of these signs it is time to get help. Call 9-1-1 and get to the nearest stroke center. DESIGNATED STROKE CENTER GOLD AWARD FOR STROKE CARE
SLCH received an eighth “Get With the Guidelines Gold Plus Performance Achievement Award” from the American Stroke Association. Hospitals achieve this award for implementing specific quality improvement measures outlined by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association for the treatment of stroke patients. SLCH has met specific quality achievement measures for the rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients at a set level for a designated period. These measures include aggressive use of medications and risk-reduction therapies aimed at reducing death and disability and improving the lives of stroke patients As part of SLCH’s Stroke Program, the hospital has implemented national treatment guidelines which include the provision of timely assessment of patients presenting with stroke so that clot-busting medications can be used in patients meeting the criteria.
For more information, contact Beverly Keefer RN BSN SLCH Director Cardiovascular Services, Cardiac Cath and Interventional Radiology (845) 568-2087
SLCH#3173 0716