Stroke Association of Southern California Stroke Prevention Stroke Prevention A Guide for Caregivers

Stroke AssociationStroke Associationof Southern Californiaof Southern California

Stroke PreventionStroke Prevention

A Guide for Caregivers


PART I: Stroke Basics PART II: Preventing Recurrent

Strokes PART III: Prevention is for Caregivers,

Too


Part I:Part I:Stroke BasicsStroke Basics


• 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


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


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”


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)


AtherosclerosisAtherosclerosis


AneurysmAneurysm


AVM - Arteriovenous AVM - Arteriovenous MalformationMalformation


Part II:Part II:Preventing Recurrent StrokesPreventing Recurrent Strokes


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


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


• Antiplatelets a. Aspirin -- cheap

& effective b. Ticlid c. Plavix

• Anticoagulants a. Warfarin b. Heparin

2. Medications2. Medications


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


2. Medications (continued)2. Medications (continued)

Antihypertensivesa. Diureticsb. Angiotensin System Antagonistsc. Calcium Channel Blockers d. Sympatholyticse. Beta Blockers f. Vasodilators


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)


3. Diet3. Diet (continued)

• High in Omega 3 fats

• Smaller Portions (4 oz. or less) of Meats

• High Fiber Intake


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]


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!


Part III:Part III:Stroke Prevention for Stroke Prevention for

CaregiversCaregivers


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

ThisThis Presentation was made possible with Presentation was made possible with funding from the Los Angeles County Area funding from the Los Angeles County Area

Agency on Aging.Agency on Aging.

Documents

Stroke Association of Southern California Stroke Prevention Stroke Prevention A Guide for Caregivers