Understanding StrokeUnderstanding Stroke

It’s A Brain Attack!

Be Stroke SmartBe Stroke SmartThe 3 R’s of Stroke

Reduce Risk for StrokeReduce Risk for Stroke

Recognize Symptoms of a StrokeRecognize Symptoms of a Stroke

Respond - Call 911when you see someone having a stroke

Respond - Call 911when you see someone having a stroke

What is a Stroke ?What is a Stroke ?Lack of blood flow to the brain caused by

a clot or rupture of a blood vesselSudden brain damage

• Ischemic

– Most common

– Caused by a clot

Embolic Thrombotic

•Hemorrhagic

–Bleeding around brain

–Bleeding into brain

Brain Attack!• Stroke happens in

the brain not in the heart.

• Stroke is an emergency. Call 911 if you see someone having a stroke.

Famous People Famous People Who Had StrokesWho Had Strokes

Charles DickensAuthor of “A Christmas Carol”

Kirk DouglasActor

President Ford President 1974-1977

Luther VandrossSinger

Della ReeseActress

Charles SchultzCreator of Charlie Brown

Dick ClarkHost of Rockin’ New Years Eve

Ted WilliamsBoston Red Sox Baseball player

Stroke Facts in AmericaStroke Facts in America

• Third leading cause of death in the United States

• 750,000 Americans have strokes each year

• 160,000 people die from stroke each year

• 6,000,000 stroke survivors

• Stroke is preventable

• Stroke can disable adults

• Every 45 seconds, someone has a stroke

Stroke Facts in AmericaStroke Facts in America

Stroke SymptomsStroke Symptoms

If you see someone having any of these symptoms call 911! Every minute counts!

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

The Perceptions of StrokeThe Perceptions of Stroke

• Stroke is not preventable

• Stroke cannot be treated

• Stroke only strikes the elderly

• Stroke happens in the heart

• Stroke recovery ends after 6 months

• Many strokes are preventable

• Stroke can be treated

• Anyone can have a stroke

• Stroke is a “Brain Attack”

• Stroke recovery can last a lifetime

MYTH REALITY

Many strokes Many strokes

are preventable!are preventable!

NSA developed these guidelines to help YOU and YOUR FAMILY reduce YOUR risk for stroke...

1. Tell your mom, dad, aunts, uncles and grandparents

to know their blood pressure. They should have it

checked at least once a year. If their blood pressure

is high, ask them to work with their doctor to control it.

2. Find out if you or a family member has atrial

fibrillation, when your heart feels like it is racing.

3. If you have a family member that smokes, ask him or

her to stop.

National Stroke Association’s National Stroke Association’s Stroke Prevention GuidelinesStroke Prevention Guidelines

National Stroke Association’s National Stroke Association’s

Stroke Prevention GuidelinesStroke Prevention Guidelines (continued)(continued)

4. If you have a family member that has high

cholesterol, ask him or her to work with their

doctor to control it.

6. If you or a family member are diabetic, ask your

family member to follow the doctor’s

recommendations carefully to control their

diabetes.

National Stroke Association’s National Stroke Association’s Stroke Prevention GuidelinesStroke Prevention Guidelines

(continued)(continued)

7. Include exercise, like football and

cheerleading, in the activities you enjoy in

your daily routine.

8. Enjoy a lower sodium (salt), lower fat diet.

9. If you experience any stroke symptoms, seek

immediate medical attention. Call 911!

Reduce the Impact of StrokeReduce the Impact of Stroke

• Stroke is a Brain Attack!

– Preventable and treatable

• 3 R’s of Stroke

– Reduce Risk

– Recognize Stroke Symptoms

– Respond immediately by calling 911

• Reducing the Incidence and Impact of

Stroke

• Teaching People About Stroke

• Teaching Doctors and Nurses About Stroke

• Advancing Stroke Research

• Teaching Stroke Survivors and the people

that take care of them about Stroke

National Stroke National Stroke AssociationAssociation

Reducing, Teaching and Advancing Stroke CareReducing, Teaching and Advancing Stroke Care

Now go to www.stroke.org to find more fun games, contests, and ways to learn about stroke with

National Stroke Association