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