February is American Heart Month, so let’s all take a moment to talk about strokes and the simple things you can do to save a life. Yes, you. Every year in the U.S., 700,000 people suffer a stroke. A whooping 75% of them occur in people age 65 and older. It is the third leading cause of death. OK, so what is stroke?

There are three kinds of stroke:

The most common is the ischemic stroke, which happens when an artery that supplies blood and oxygen to the brain becomes blocked, perhaps by a blood clot. Atherosclerosis –when plaque caused by fat and cholesterol clog the arteries – is the main cause.

Another kind of stroke happens when an artery in the brain, weakened by plaque, age or high blood pressure, bursts causing a hemorrhage, ergo this is called a hemorrhagic stroke.

Did you know there is another kind called a mini-stroke? No, it’s not for short people, but a transient ischemic attack (TIA) starts like a stroke but clears up within an hour.

What can stroke do to me?

Not to get too scary here, but stroke is the leading cause of adult disability in the United States. Because blood is blocked from the brain, stroke is sometimes called a “brain attack.” Without oxygen, brain cells begin to die. The abilities controlled by that area of the brain are lost, such as speech, movement and memory. A small stroke may cause minor weakness to an arm or leg. A major stroke may leave you paralyzed, or without the ability to speak. Although some recovery occurs, more than 2/3rds of victims are permanently disabled.

How do I know someone is having a stroke?

You don’t need to be Pamela Anderson to do something for your loved ones, just memorize the following lists of symptoms:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the 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

Our friends at stroke.org also recommend the following simple test called Act F.A.S.T.:

F = FACE Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

A = 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’s time to call 9-1-1 or get to the nearest stroke center or hospital.

How can I prevent stroke?

The National Stroke Association recommends:

1. Know your blood pressure. If it is elevated, work with your doctor to keep it under control. High blood pressure is a leading cause of stroke. Have your blood pressure checked at least once each year – more often if you have a history of high blood pressure.

2. Find out if you have atrial fibrillation (AF). If you have AF, work with your doctor to manage it. Atrial fibrillation can cause blood to collect in the chambers of your heart. This blood can form clots and cause a stroke. Your doctor can detect AF by carefully checking your pulse.

3. Stop Smoking. Smoking doubles the risk for stroke. If you stop smoking today, your risk for stroke will begin to decrease.

4. Drink alcohol in moderation. Having one drink each day may lower your risk for stroke (provided that there is no other medical reason you should avoid alcohol). 5. Lower your cholesterol. If your cholesterol is high, work with your doctor to control it.

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

7. Exercise. A brisk walk, swim or other exercise activity for as little as 30 minutes a day can improve your health in many ways, and may reduce your risk for stroke.

8. Enjoy a lower sodium (salt), lower fat diet. By cutting down on sodium and fat in your diet, you may be able to lower your blood pressure and, most importantly, lower your risk for stroke.

9. Circulation problems? If so, work with your doctor to control them.

10. If you have any stroke symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.

Got a question? Ask our experts.

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Filed under: AGIS, Baby Boomers, Caregiving, Health & Safety