Healthy Living Newsletter
Stroke: When Should You Worry?
Tom’s family first thought he was clowning around
when one side of his body suddenly went limp and his speech
became slurred. The stroke he suffered wiped away most
of his language skills, making it impossible for him to
continue as a history instructor.
Striking swiftly and decisively, a stroke can alter the
course of a person’s life, often making it impossible
to continue living independently. In the United States,
it’s the third leading cause of death and the number
one reason for disability.
“Strokes become increasingly prevalent after age
55,” explains Nick Reina, MD, a physiatrist with
Mercy Hospital’s Inpatient Rehabilitation program, “and
nearly every senior has some reason to worry. The worry,
of course, should be positive, prompting preventive action
rather than fear.”
When should you worry about stroke?
“If your doctor has just given you a diagnosis
of hypertension, you should think seriously about stroke
prevention measures,” says Dr. Reina. “High
blood pressure is the number one risk factor for stroke;
that’s why it’s imperative to follow to the
letter your doctor’s prescription for bringing your
blood pressure back to normal.”
At any level, lowering your blood pressure (BP) reduces
the risk of stroke - a 42 percent decrease in risk for
each 6 mmHg drop in BP, according to one study.
In addition to taking medications, treatment usually
involves exercise, weight control, smoking cessation and
a healthy diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole
grains and low-fat dairy products. Sodium intake should
be less than 2000 milligrams a day.
“If you have diabetes or a cardiovascular problem
such as high cholesterol, atrial fibrillation or carotid
artery stenosis, you should work to lower your risk of
stroke,” continues Dr. Reina.
A stroke is an interruption of normal blood flow to the
brain; caused either by a clot that blocks an artery or
a broken blood vessel in the brain. Conditions which damage
blood vessels — including diabetes and high cholesterol — increase
the risk of both types, and preventive measurers are similar
to those recommended for hypertension — a low-fat
diet, regular exercise, weight control and smoking cessation.
Diabetics should be careful to keep their blood sugar level
under control.
“The carotid arteries that run along each side
of the neck carry blood to the front part of the brain,” explains
Dr. Reina. “When these arteries become blocked, a
stroke is a distinct possibility. In addition to diet and
exercise, patients with carotid artery stenosis are usually
advised to take low-dose aspirin or other anti-platelet
medications to reduce the risk of clotting. When the blockage
is severe, surgery may be needed.”
For TIA - Take Immediate Action
“If you’ve just had a transient ischemic
attack (TIA), you should be seriously concerned about the
possibility of stroke,” warns Dr. Reina. “Also
known as a mini-stroke, a TIA is caused by temporary blockage
of normal blood flow, and the symptoms are generally those
of a stroke, although lasting only briefly from a few minutes
to a few hours.”
If you suddenly find you can’t move your right
arm or can’t remember how to use your computer, your
distress is likely to turn to elation when you begin to
function normally again. “Don’t spend too much
time congratulating yourself;” says Dr. Reina, “get
yourself to a doctor quickly because you have a heightened
risk of having a stroke. About 10 percent of individuals
having a TIA will suffer a stoke within 90 days — many
of these within the first 48 hours. Eventually, over a
five-year period, about a third will suffer a complete
stroke.
“Keep in mind that other medical conditions can
cause similar symptoms,” continues Dr. Reina, “so
a complete evaluation is necessary. If a TIA is confirmed,
your doctor will prescribe aggressive stroke prevention
measures.”
What are the symptoms of stroke?
Some strokes occur silently, but when symptoms are present,
they include:
- sudden unexplained confusion or loss of consciousness,
- severe headache of sudden onset,
- paralysis, weakness, numbness or loss of coordination
on one side of the body,
- sudden loss of vision, foggy vision or double vision,
- slurred speech or sudden inability to find words or
understand what is said,
- severe dizziness and loss of balance or coordination.
If you have any of the symptoms of stroke, you should
take quick action! “Call 911 immediately,” explains
Dr. Reina, “and ask EMS to transport you to the nearest
hospital emergency room preferably where stroke and inpatient
rehabilitation are provided, such as Mercy Hospital. The
fastest access to medical care, especially at a hospital
with a proven track record for treating stroke and with
stroke experts on hand, will enhance your chance of survival
and success in recovery.
“One simple test that doctors use is to ask the
patient 1) to smile, 2) raise both arms and keep them up
in the air, and 3) speak a simple sentence clearly,” concludes
Dr. Reina. “A stroke victim won’t be able to
complete these task without exhibiting impaired speech
or weakness of the arm or face.”
Remember, the best defense against stroke is to take
preventive action. Listen to your doctor and always follow
instructions for maintaining your blood pressure and good
health. |
