15. Things you can change… Lifestyle Modifications Alcohol Smoking Weight / Inactivity Take medications as directed
16.
17. Know your numbers Risk Factor High Risk Caution Low Risk Blood Pressure Greater than 140/90 Or I don’t know 120-139/80/89 Less than 120/80 Cholesterol Greater than 240 or I don’t know 200-239 Less than 200 Diabetes Yes Borderline No Smoking I still smoke I’m starting to quit I am a non-smoker Atrial Fibrillation I have an irregular heartbeat I don’t know My heartbeat is not irregular Diet I am overweight I am slightly overweight My weight is healthy Exercise I am a couch potato I exercise sometimes I exercise regularly I have stroke in my family Yes Not sure No
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Notas del editor
What do you think we mean when we say “brain attack”? Just as a heart attack affects the blood vessels of the heart, a stroke affects the blood vessels of the brain.
Is there anyone here who does not know of someone who has had a stroke?
Most people would tell you that they would like to keep whatever brain power they have. When you have a stroke, the tissues around the blood vessels in the affected area of the brain are deprived of nutrients and blood needed for normal function. The sooner a stroke is treated the less damage is done to the affected part of the brain. You need to call 9-11 and you need to get to a hospital immediately.
Read the slide. An aneurysm occurs when there is weakness in a part of the blood vessel and that weakness causes the blood vessel to break.
Read the slide
Demonstrate That could be a sign of a stroke.
Demonstrate. That could be the sign of a stroke.
Read the slide. (Unclear, slurred, can’t get words out, can only say one word.) That could be the sign of a stroke.
Even if the symptoms go away quickly or you’re not sure that what you’re dealing with is a stroke, go to the hospital immediately.
Prior to your arrival at Riverside, the stroke team will have been activated by the ambulance staff and will be waiting for your arrival. This is because time is important. There will be a lot of people giving you a lot of attention very quickly. The Neurologist (a physician specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of strokes and other diseases of the brain and nerves) has been notified and will see you in the ER. Because once again… time is important.
You will receive a rapid CT scan, a special x-ray of your brain that helps identify the type of stroke you may be having. Because all of this takes time to complete, it’s important to come to the hospital as soon as the symptoms appear. Ischemic strokes may be treated with the clot busting drug within 3 hours of symptom onset. A TIA is is a transient ischemic attack. The symptoms may disappear quickly, and you may feel absolutely fine, but it is not to be ignored. This is a stroke indicator of a future stroke.
Stroke can be a life changing event for an individual and their family and friends. Riverside recognizes this and has a support group for those individuals who need ongoing support after hospitalization.
Take your medicine. Control your blood pressure. If you smoke, stop. Limit your alcohol consumption to no more than 1–2 drinks a day. Get 30 minutes of exercise per day. Walking is the best, and if you can’t walk - swim.
Diabetes - even if diabetes is controlled, you are still considered diabetic.
Stop and let audience complete their stroke risk scorecard
Stroke is a brain attack - but you can fight back.