The effects of a stroke can be life-changing to both the victim and family members.
That is why the American Stroke Association, a branch of the American Heart Association was formed in the 1990s to focus on research and education of stroke.
“They wanted the stroke to have its own personality,” said communications chairwoman for the American Heart Association, Anthea Germano. “They wanted a strategic focus on stroke, so in the late 90s the American Heart Association gave birth to the American Stroke Association.”
According to Germano and the AHA, stroke is the number three killer and the number one disabler of Americans. Every 45 seconds someone in America has a stroke. It is a type of cardiovascular disease which affects arteries leading to and within the brain. Stroke occurs when a blood vessel carrying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain starts to die. Strokes can cause paralysis, affect speech and vision and cause memory loss.
If a person has diabetes or heart disease, he or she is more at risk at having a stroke. Other risk factors include: increased age, risk of stroke doubles each decade after 55; the nicotine and carbon monoxide in cigarette smoking; high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
Warning signs of a stroke should never be avoided, and that is why ‘Operation Stroke’ was initiated by the American Stroke Association to bring about awareness of what to do if someone believes he or she is having a stroke.
“Operation Stroke started around the same time as the American Stroke Association. Know the warning signs of stroke. If someone is having a stroke, or even if you think they are, call 911 immediately and activate emergency medical services,” advised Germano. “If someone is having a stroke, time is not on their side.”
There are several warning signs of a stroke, which include: sudden numbness of the face, arms and legs, especially on one side of the body; sudden severe headache; trouble seeing out of one or both eyes; trouble speaking or understanding; confusion; loss of balance or coordination and dizziness. Another warning sign of stroke is a Transient Ischemic Attack, or a mini stroke. This type of stroke resolves itself; however it is a warning sign of possible strokes in the future.
The effects of stroke can be devastating not only to the victim but to his or her family members as well. Strokes cause paralysis, speech impairment, loss of memory and vision problems.
Treatments for stroke can be as simple as taking an aspirin a day, or surgery for more serious strokes. Also, physical and occupational therapy play a key role in stroke rehabilitation.
If anyone is worried about stroke, there are ways to try to prevent it. Proper diet and exercise, quitting smoking, periodic blood pressure screenings, taking prescribed medications and regular physicals are some prevention methods.
To help with this type of prevention, the American Stroke Association has scheduled free screenings at St. Matthew’s parish hall on May 28 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. AHA volunteers from HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital will provide free blood pressures, carotid artery checks and stroke risk assessments. The public is invited to attend, and no appointment is necessary. Informational pamphlets on cardiovascular diseases will be available at the screening site.
Germano would like to thank The Daily Herald for co-sponsoring screenings and making posters for the event, WTRN Radio for co-sponsoring the screenings, HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital volunteers and Father Joseph Orr and everyone at St. Matthew’s for making this health screening such a success.
For more information about heart disease and stroke, call the Blair County Division office at 949-3160 or visit the American Heart Association web site at www.americanheart.org. The American Stroke Association’s web site is www.strokeassociation.org.
