stroke association of southern california stroke prevention stroke prevention a guide for caregivers
TRANSCRIPT
Stroke AssociationStroke Associationof Southern Californiaof Southern California
Stroke PreventionStroke Prevention
A Guide for Caregivers
Stroke AssociationStroke Associationof Southern Californiaof Southern California
PART I: Stroke Basics PART II: Preventing Recurrent
Strokes PART III: Prevention is for Caregivers,
Too
Stroke AssociationStroke Associationof Southern Californiaof Southern California
Part I:Part I:Stroke BasicsStroke Basics
Stroke AssociationStroke Associationof Southern Californiaof Southern California
• People who have had one stroke are, in most cases, at an increased risk for recurrent strokes
• The stroke rate in the U.S. -- after declining for decades -- appears to be on the rise again
The Not-So-Good NewsThe Not-So-Good News
Stroke AssociationStroke Associationof Southern Californiaof Southern California
The Good NewsThe Good News
• Experts say that over 70% of strokes could be prevented
• There are simple steps that you and your family can take to lower the risks for stroke
Stroke AssociationStroke Associationof Southern Californiaof Southern California
What Is A Stroke?What Is A Stroke?
A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted or diminished. There are two basic types of stroke:
• Ischemic - A blockage in a blood vessel
• Hemorrhagic - A “bleed”
Stroke AssociationStroke Associationof Southern Californiaof Southern California
What Causes A Stroke?What Causes A Stroke?
Ischemic• Hypertension (High
blood pressure)• Atherosclerosis
(Build-up of fat deposits in artery)
• Heart and/or blood conditions that contribute to clotting
Hemorrhagic• Aneurysm (A bulging
on the outer wall of an artery that bursts)
• AVM - Arteriovenous Malformation (A “tangle” of small blood vessels in the brain)
Stroke AssociationStroke Associationof Southern Californiaof Southern California
AtherosclerosisAtherosclerosis
Stroke AssociationStroke Associationof Southern Californiaof Southern California
AVM - Arteriovenous AVM - Arteriovenous MalformationMalformation
Stroke AssociationStroke Associationof Southern Californiaof Southern California
Part II:Part II:Preventing Recurrent StrokesPreventing Recurrent Strokes
Stroke AssociationStroke Associationof Southern Californiaof Southern California
Preventing Recurrent StrokesPreventing Recurrent Strokes
1. Work with your Physician2. Use Medications as Prescribed3. Follow a Healthy Diet4. Exercise Regularly 5. Quit Smoking6. Manage Your Weight and Stress7. Know the Warning Signs of Stroke
Stroke AssociationStroke Associationof Southern Californiaof Southern California
1. Work With Your Physician1. Work With Your Physician
• Medication management is extremely important for stroke prevention
• Proper treatment of related conditions (hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, etc.) helps prevent stroke
• Surgery can sometimes lower risk
Stroke AssociationStroke Associationof Southern Californiaof Southern California
• Antiplatelets a. Aspirin -- cheap
& effective b. Ticlid c. Plavix
• Anticoagulants a. Warfarin b. Heparin
2. Medications2. Medications
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2. Medications (continued)2. Medications (continued)
• Cholesterol Lowering Agents a. Statins b. Natural Substances
• Antidiabetic Agents a. Insulin b. Oral Hypoglycemic drugs c. Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors d. Thiazolidinediones
Stroke AssociationStroke Associationof Southern Californiaof Southern California
2. Medications (continued)2. Medications (continued)
Antihypertensivesa. Diureticsb. Angiotensin System Antagonistsc. Calcium Channel Blockers d. Sympatholyticse. Beta Blockers f. Vasodilators
Stroke AssociationStroke Associationof Southern Californiaof Southern California
3. Diet3. DietThe most stroke
resistant diet:
• Low Fat (particularly in saturated fat)
• Low Sodium
• High Intake of Fruits and Vegetables (5-6 servings daily)
Stroke AssociationStroke Associationof Southern Californiaof Southern California
3. Diet3. Diet (continued)
• High in Omega 3 fats
• Smaller Portions (4 oz. or less) of Meats
• High Fiber Intake
Stroke AssociationStroke Associationof Southern Californiaof Southern California
4. Exercise4. Exercise
Benefits• Helps control blood
pressure• Helps relieve stress• Helps body “burn” fats
and lower obesity risk
• Reduces risk of cardio- vascular disease
[Stroke survivors should consult doctor before beginning program]
Stroke AssociationStroke Associationof Southern Californiaof Southern California
4. Exercise4. Exercise (continued)
Other Benefits for Stroke Survivors• Promotes rehabilitation
• Lessens depression
• Raises energy level
• Lessens risk of falling
5. Quit Smoking5. Quit Smoking
The health costs of smoking:
• Contributes to atherosclerosis
• Raises blood pressure• Reduces oxygen supply
to the brain• Makes blood thicker and
more likely to clot• Raises risks for stroke,
heart disease, cancer, diabetes, hypertension and emphysema
6. Manage Weight & 6. Manage Weight & StressStress• Recent studies have proved that
“extra weight” means extra stroke risk. Trim pounds and risk at the same time!
• Unrelieved stress is hard on all the body systems. By practicing stress reduction techniques, you help prevent many diseases.
7. Know the Stroke 7. Know the Stroke Warning SignsWarning Signs!• Sudden numbness, weakness or paralysis of the
face, arm, or leg on one side of the body• Loss of speech, trouble talking or trouble
understanding speech• Sudden dimness or loss of vision, particularly in
only one eye• Unexplained dizziness, unsteadiness or sudden
falls• Sudden severe headache with no apparent cause IF YOU EXPERIENCE ANY OF THE ABOVE SYMPTOMS,
CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY!
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Part III:Part III:Stroke Prevention for Stroke Prevention for
CaregiversCaregivers
Stroke AssociationStroke Associationof Southern Californiaof Southern California
Stroke Prevention for Stroke Prevention for
CaregiversCaregivers These same rules apply for everyone!
1. Get regular checkups 2. Work with your physician to treat any
conditions that increase stroke risk
3. Eat a healthy stroke-resistant diet 4. Exercise regularly5. If you smoke, stop6. Practice stress reduction techniques7. Allow time for yourself to see friends & enjoy
life!
Stroke Prevention for Stroke Prevention for CaregiversCaregivers
• Unrelieved stress damages health
• Depression is a stroke risk factor
• If you don’t take good care of yourself, you can’t take good care of others
• Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of wisdom!
Where To Go For HelpWhere To Go For Help
The Stroke Association of Southern California has a telephone
HelpLine that can help you find the resources your family needs for “living with stroke”.
Call (310) 575-1699
The Los Angeles Caregiver Resource Center provides many services for family caregivers, and is the lead agency for EduCare, a consortium of over 20 agencies helping caregivers.
(800) 540-4442 / (213) 740-8711
Los Angeles Caregiver Resource Center