Types of Strokes

Before the unthinkable happens, learn the different types of strokes and the warning signs:

Ischemic stroke (clots): an obstruction within a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain. The underlying condition for this type of obstruction is the development of fatty deposits lining the vessel walls

Hemorrhagic stroke (bleed): results from a weakened vessel that ruptures and bleeds into the surrounding brain. The blood accumulates and compresses the surrounding brain tissue. The two types of hemorrhagic strokes are intracerebral hemorrhage or subarachnoid hemorrhage.

TIA - Transient Ischemic Attack - (mini stroke): a temporary clot. Symptoms occur rapidly and last a relatively short time. Once a TIA is over there is usually no permanent damage to the brain.

The warning signs for all the above are the same. If more than one of the following are present, call 911 immediately:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the 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 

Learn more about strokes at American Heart Association and the National Stroke Association

Stroke

May is national stroke month and click here to review the Stroke 101 Fact Sheet

Stroke Smart Magazine

The Winter 2011 issue of Stroke Smart Magazine is now available on-line in full digital version.  It's a NEW active online version. Click here to read the latest issue.

Stroke Awareness Month

The month of May is national stroke awareness month and the National Stroke Association has sent the following important information:


"May is National Stroke Awareness Month and the most important time of the year to help raise awareness about stroke prevention and to honor the millions who have already been affected by stroke.
We want you to get involved, so we have been busy creating new, inspirational ways for you to participate! Our exciting new offerings include an awareness campaign called the Faces of Stroke and a new online Stroke Awareness Resource Center. The goal is to allow everyone to get involved no matter who you are. 
Watch your inbox in the coming days as National Stroke Association offers more awareness-raising tools than ever before. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s to come:

• Faces of Stroke Daily Online Feature: read about and see stroke champion profiles alongside important educational information during May. Of note: final Faces selections are underway and you will be notified if you have been selected for the campaign. Stay tuned!
• Be a Face of Stroke: participate in our Faces campaign by uploading your own photo and story about how stroke has impacted your life. It will be featured in our online gallery.
• Community Excellence Award Competition: enter to win our award competition that seeks to find the most unique ways of raising community awareness.
• Educate Yourself and Others: access our newly updated community education e-kit that includes easy ways to reach others with stroke information.
• Be an Advocate: join our newly launched Stroke Advocacy Network and get active in its many special May activities."

National Stroke Association's Virtual Health Fair

National Stroke Association's (NSA) first annual Virtual Health Fair was held January 19, 2011.  NSA states "it has been a tremendous success and we're thrilled to make it available on demand until April 19, 2011. Visitors are spending an average of 2.5 hours each in this event, so we know it's something others shouldn't miss! We hope you'll help us tell everyone about it. To return to the Virtual Health Fair, go to http://www.stroke.org/site/R?i=7UMuRybhFO2a1Iuga3xmDw.."

Please take time to take the tour.

AFib-related stroke?

The following is from Heart-Head Connection  afibstroke.com

If you’ve been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AFib), it’s important to talk with your doctor regarding the AFib and stroke connection, as well as treatment options. AFib and Stroke. The Heart-Head Connection. · AFib makes you nearly 5x as likely to suffer a stroke than someone without AFib. · These strokes are about twice as likely to be severely disabling. Follow these directions. · Print out this email. · Make an appointment with your doctor. · Bring printout to your doctor.

Stroke Smart Magazine

The following information is from the Stroke Smart Fall 2010 issue: Article on Stroke is Color-Blind:

“Stroke is Color-Blind.  Stroke affects Asian, Hispanic and Native American Women Too.  Women in Hispanic and other minority groups are one and one-half times more at risk of first-ever strokes than Caucasians.  Cardiovascular disease, including both heart disease and stroke, is the leading cause of death for Hispanic women.  The good news for Asian Americans, sometimes called the ‘healthy minority’ is that they are less likely than Caucasians to suffer strokes and they are less likely to die from them, probably because this population group tends to have fewer risk factors for stroke.  They have the highest life expectancy of any group in the U.S.  American-Indian and Alaska-Native Women are twice as likely as Caucasian women to have a stroke due to a lack of good health.  People of all ethnicities, age and gender need to understand and heed stroke warning signs.”

Women and Stroke Info - Here are some options:

•    National Stroke Association: stroke.org or 800-787-6537
•    Circle of Rights: circleofrights.org or 301-792-0781
•    Healthy Women: healthywomen.org or 877-986-9472
•    Office of Minority Health: minorityhealth.hhs.gov or 800-444-6472
•    Rocky Mountain Stroke Center: strokecolorado.org or 877-630-7444
•    Women’s Health.gov: womenshealth.gov or 800-994-9662"