Stroke inhibits vital supplies
of blood and oxygen to the brain cells that control everything we do
- from speaking, to walking, to breathing. A stroke happens when an
artery becomes blocked or ruptures. Most strokes occur when an artery
is blocked by a blood clot (formed elsewhere in the boor by the
gradual build-up of plaque and other fatty deposits. Arteries can
rupture when weak spots on the blood vessel wall break.
Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the number one cause
of adult disability in the US. Everyone has some stroke risk - even
you. The good news is that more than half of all strokes can be
prevented by reducing risks, and if you do have a stroke, the brain
damage may be minimized if you recognize the symptoms and respond
promptly.
Stroke
is an Emergency!
If you experience any
stroke symptoms - or recognize them in someone else - call 911
immediately! Sometimes symptoms may appear for only a very short
period of time and then disappear, making them TIAs (transient
ischemic attack).
Although it might be tempting to
ignore them, it's important to call 911 whenever you experience any
stroke symptoms. While TIAs are not strokes, they indicate serious
underlying stroke risks and are a powerful warning that a full stroke
may soon follow. Never ignore stroke symptoms!
Getting emergency
medical treatment is important for two
reasons:
• Every minute that
brain cells are deprived of oxygen, brain damage increases.
• Only a doctor can tell for sure if you are having a stroke or
a TIA. If you are having a stroke, emergency medical treatment could
save your life and greatly improve your chances for successful
rehabilitation and recovery. If you are having a TIA, your doctor
will evaluate and treat the underlying causes. Following your
doctor's orders for medication 
and
treatment can help reduce your risk of having a stroke.
Reducing
Risk
With a combination of
medical attention and lifestyle changes, you can significantly reduce
your risk of stroke.
Medical stroke risk factors
include:
• Previous stroke or TIA (increases stroke risk 10
times). If your stroke or TIA was caused by blood clots or blocked
arteries, medication and/or surgery may reduce your risk of
recurrence or having a full stroke.
• High Blood Pressure - consistently higher than 140/90
(increases stroke risk 4 to 6 times).
• Heart disease - especially a specific type of irregular
heartbeat known as atrial fibrillation or "AF," which can cause blood
clots to form and travel to the brain (increases stroke risk 4 to 6
times).
• Carotid artery disease, in which the arteries in your neck
leading to the brain become blocked by the build-up of plaque and
other fatty deposits (increases stroke risk 3 times).
If you experience any stroke symptoms, call 911 without delay. The Alaska Regional Hospital Stroke Program is prepared to initiate immediate intervention & treatment 24 hours a day. Saving minutes can save lives.
Lifestyle-related stroke risk
factors include:
• Smoking increases stroke risk 2 times. If you quit
smoking today, within five years, your stroke risk from smoking will
be the same as someone who's never smoked.
• Weight - excess weight puts a strain on the entire circulatory
system and increases blood pressure.
• Alcohol - excessive consumption of alcohol is associated with
stroke.
Several stroke risk factors are beyond your control, such as being
over age 55, being a male, being an African-American, having
diabetes, and having a family history of stroke.
Since early intervention is
the only intervention that works, Alaska Regional Hospital is
prepared for stroke treatment 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week.
Recognizing Symptoms
Very few Americans know the symptoms of stroke. Do you? Learning them - and knowing what to do when they occur - could save your life.
The
most common symptoms of a stroke are:
• Weakness, numbness, or paralysis of face, arm, or leg
- especially on one side of the body
• Sudden blurred or decreased vision in one or both eyes
• Difficulty speaking or understanding simple statements
• Dizziness, loss of balance or loss of coordination, especially
when combined with another symptom
• Sudden, unexplainable, and intense headache - often described
as "the worst headache ever" Other important but less common symptoms
include:
• Sudden nausea, fever and vomiting - distinguished from a viral
illness by the speed of onset (minutes or hours vs. several days)
• Brief loss of consciousness or periods of decreased
consciousness (fainting, confusion, convulsions, or coma)
