DIAL 911
*****According to a study completed by Reuters, the elderly population is at high risk for stroke and they are not aware of the symptoms, what to do if they occur and how to modify or manage these risk factors. If you or someone you are with are experiencing signs of a stroke DIAL 911!! Repeat after me! DIAL 911
What is a Stroke?
A stroke is a brain injury that occurs when a blood vessel in the brain is blocked or bursts and causes bleeding, this is the important reason why we no longer give Aspirin before being seen by a medical professional for signs of a stroke. Without blood and the oxygen it carries, part of the brain starts to die. The part of the body controlled by the damaged area of the brain does not work properly. Brain …show more content…
damage can begin within minutes, so it is VERY important to know the signs and act FAST. Immediate treatment can help limit damage to the brain and increase the chance of recovery. Time lost is brain lost! (RIH Information Packet, 2012). If you or someone you are with are experiencing signs of a stroke DIAL 911!! Repeat after me! DIAL 911
The Elderly Population is not aware of Stroke Signs and Symptoms
Classic stroke symptoms include weakness in one part of the body, particularly an arm or leg; difficulty speaking, facial droop, severe headache, mental confusion and dizziness.
The most frequent stroke symptoms experienced by patients in this study were weakness (65 percent), inability to speak or slurred speech (59 percent), numbness or tingling in arm, face or leg (37 percent) and facial droop (31 percent).
The acronym used for rapid assessment of a possible stroke is the F.A.S.T. Acronym. F-Face-look for a facial droop on one side of the face. A-Asymetry- numbness or weakness of the face, an arm or leg especially on only one side of the body. S-Speech-confusion, trouble speaking or understanding, or NO speech. T-Time- because time is critical! Other signs include severe headache and visual changes especially double vision. If you or someone you are with are experiencing signs of a stroke DIAL 911!! Repeat after me! DIAL 911
TIA’s
In a TIA, a clot temporarily clogs an artery, depriving that part of the brain of needed oxygen.
With a TIA, symptoms of a stroke last for a short period -- less than 5 minutes -- and cause no lasting damage; as a result, people often ignore TIAs. These mini strokes, however, are often a warning sign of more serious stroke to come, so rapid diagnosis and treatment is important. Up to 40% of patients that experience a TIA will go on to have a more serious stroke. Please seek medical attention even if the symptoms resolve.
Factors that Prevent an Elderly Person from reaching Medical Attention Immediately
Fear of being alone in the hospital, fear of losing independence if a stroke is diagnosed, fear of having no medical problem in the first place, and fear of inconveniencing a friend or family member by asking them to take them to the hospital are reasons some of the people interviewed stated why they didn’t seek medical attention right away. Also, the thought of sitting in the emergency room for hours can cause delay, but be aware that if you are being worked up for a stroke it is a medical emergency and you will be evaluated as soon as you enter the emergency room.
According to The National Stroke Association up to 80% of strokes can be
prevented.
How can this be done? Know your blood pressure. Hypertension is a major risk factor leading to a stroke.
Stop smoking. Smoking doubles your risk of stroke. It damages blood vessel walls, speeds up artery clogging, and raises blood pressure making the heart work harder.
Drink no more than 2 alcoholic beverages a day.
Know your cholesterol levels. A cholesterol level of more than 200 is considered a risk factor for stroke, and should be followed up by a doctor for treatment, including a low fat diet.
Control Diabetes. Diabetes has been linked as a stroke risk factor.
Maintain a healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruits, fiber (at least 5 servings a day) and , low in calories, salt, saturated and trans fats and cholesterol. Manage exercise such as walking daily.
Reduce your Stress Level. Manage stress in healthy ways, enjoy the benefits of community centers, maintain relationships to help lower stress levels and reduce the risk of stroke.
It is very important to know your medications, what they are prescribed for, and to take them as prescribed. It is also very important to obtain medical care for annual or more check-ups so your practitioner can monitor the effectiveness of those treatments. And one last time! . If you or someone you are with are experiencing signs of a stroke DIAL 911!! Repeat after me! DIAL 911
References:
National Stroke Association. (2013). What is Stroke? Stroke Prevention. Retrieved from: http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=PREVENT.
Reuters. (2007). Elderly Don’t Know Stroke Signs: Study. Retrieved from: http://www.reuters.com/article/2007/10/09/us-elderly-stroke-idUSCOL95452320071009.
What is a Stroke?
A stroke is a brain injury that occurs when a blood vessel in the brain is blocked or bursts and causes bleeding, this is the important reason why we no longer give Aspirin before being seen by a medical professional for signs of a stroke. Without blood and the oxygen it carries, part of the brain starts to die. The part of the body controlled by the damaged area of the brain does not work properly. Brain …show more content…
damage can begin within minutes, so it is VERY important to know the signs and act FAST. Immediate treatment can help limit damage to the brain and increase the chance of recovery. Time lost is brain lost! (RIH Information Packet, 2012). If you or someone you are with are experiencing signs of a stroke DIAL 911!! Repeat after me! DIAL 911
The Elderly Population is not aware of Stroke Signs and Symptoms
Classic stroke symptoms include weakness in one part of the body, particularly an arm or leg; difficulty speaking, facial droop, severe headache, mental confusion and dizziness.
The most frequent stroke symptoms experienced by patients in this study were weakness (65 percent), inability to speak or slurred speech (59 percent), numbness or tingling in arm, face or leg (37 percent) and facial droop (31 percent).
The acronym used for rapid assessment of a possible stroke is the F.A.S.T. Acronym. F-Face-look for a facial droop on one side of the face. A-Asymetry- numbness or weakness of the face, an arm or leg especially on only one side of the body. S-Speech-confusion, trouble speaking or understanding, or NO speech. T-Time- because time is critical! Other signs include severe headache and visual changes especially double vision. If you or someone you are with are experiencing signs of a stroke DIAL 911!! Repeat after me! DIAL 911
TIA’s
In a TIA, a clot temporarily clogs an artery, depriving that part of the brain of needed oxygen.
With a TIA, symptoms of a stroke last for a short period -- less than 5 minutes -- and cause no lasting damage; as a result, people often ignore TIAs. These mini strokes, however, are often a warning sign of more serious stroke to come, so rapid diagnosis and treatment is important. Up to 40% of patients that experience a TIA will go on to have a more serious stroke. Please seek medical attention even if the symptoms resolve.
Factors that Prevent an Elderly Person from reaching Medical Attention Immediately
Fear of being alone in the hospital, fear of losing independence if a stroke is diagnosed, fear of having no medical problem in the first place, and fear of inconveniencing a friend or family member by asking them to take them to the hospital are reasons some of the people interviewed stated why they didn’t seek medical attention right away. Also, the thought of sitting in the emergency room for hours can cause delay, but be aware that if you are being worked up for a stroke it is a medical emergency and you will be evaluated as soon as you enter the emergency room.
According to The National Stroke Association up to 80% of strokes can be
prevented.
How can this be done? Know your blood pressure. Hypertension is a major risk factor leading to a stroke.
Stop smoking. Smoking doubles your risk of stroke. It damages blood vessel walls, speeds up artery clogging, and raises blood pressure making the heart work harder.
Drink no more than 2 alcoholic beverages a day.
Know your cholesterol levels. A cholesterol level of more than 200 is considered a risk factor for stroke, and should be followed up by a doctor for treatment, including a low fat diet.
Control Diabetes. Diabetes has been linked as a stroke risk factor.
Maintain a healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruits, fiber (at least 5 servings a day) and , low in calories, salt, saturated and trans fats and cholesterol. Manage exercise such as walking daily.
Reduce your Stress Level. Manage stress in healthy ways, enjoy the benefits of community centers, maintain relationships to help lower stress levels and reduce the risk of stroke.
It is very important to know your medications, what they are prescribed for, and to take them as prescribed. It is also very important to obtain medical care for annual or more check-ups so your practitioner can monitor the effectiveness of those treatments. And one last time! . If you or someone you are with are experiencing signs of a stroke DIAL 911!! Repeat after me! DIAL 911
References:
National Stroke Association. (2013). What is Stroke? Stroke Prevention. Retrieved from: http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=PREVENT.
Reuters. (2007). Elderly Don’t Know Stroke Signs: Study. Retrieved from: http://www.reuters.com/article/2007/10/09/us-elderly-stroke-idUSCOL95452320071009.