STROKE PREVENTION
Stroke is a brain attack cutting of vital blood and oxygen to the brain cells that control everything we do—from speaking, to walking, to breathing. Most strokes occur when arteries are blocked by blood clots or by the gradual build up of plaque and other fatty deposits. Some strokes can be caused by arteries rupturing when weak spots on the blood vessel wall break. Every year, stroke strikes approximately 750,000 Americans-killing 160,000 and forever changing the lives of many who survive. The good new is that many strokes can be prevented. If you do have a stroke, new treatments can help stop the brain damage and disability, if you know the symptoms and get immediate attention.

Reducing Risk
Everyone has some stroke risk. A few stroke risk factors are beyond you control, such as being over age 55, being a male, being an African American, having diabetes, and having a family history of stroke. If you have one of these risk factors, it is even more important that you learn about lifestyle and medical changes you can make to prevent stroke.
Vernon Memorial Hospital offers an annual Stroke Prevention Screening. Participants will receive a lipid cholesterol panel, EKG and pulse check, carotid bruit auscultation, blood pressure check, height and weight check and health history questionnaire. The cost is only $35.00. Call 637-4298 for the next Stroke Prevention Screening.

National Stroke Association’s Stroke Prevention Guidelines
1 Know your blood pressure.
2 Find out if you have atrial fibrillation.
3 If you smoke, stop.
4 If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.
5 Know your cholesterol number.
6 If you are diabetic, follow your doctor’s recommendation carefully to control your diabetes.
7 Include exercise in the activities you enjoy in your daily routine.
8 Enjoy a lower sodium (salt) lower fat diet.
9 Ask your doctor if you have circulation problems.
10 If you have any stroke symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.

The most common stroke symptoms are:
• Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm, or leg-especially on one side of the body.
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause.
Other important but less common symptoms include:
• Sudden nausea, fever and vomiting-distinguished from a viral illness by the speed of onset (minutes or hours vs. several days)
• Brief loss of consciousness or period of decreased consciousness (fainting, confusion, convulsions, or coma)
Stroke is an Emergency! Call 911 if you se or have any of these symptoms. Treatment can be more effective if given early on. Every minute counts!

For more information on Stroke Prevention or the annual Stroke Prevention Screening please contact Vernon Memorial Healthcare Community Health Educator at 637-4298.

National Stroke Association 2002 1-800-STROKES http://www.stroke.org