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 Top. Patient Page WHAT IS STROKE? |
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Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of serious disability in people of all ages. However, like heart attacks, immediate medical care may increase chances of survival. Therefore, knowing the warning signs of stroke is critical. In addition, knowing the risk factors of stroke may help to prevent a stroke. Information about the risk factors of stroke and warning signs of stroke can be found on the next page.
How many people know the warning signs of stroke or the risk factors of stroke? In this issue of Neurology, Reeves et al. (Reeves MJ, Hogan JG, Rafferty AP. Knowledge of stroke risk factors and warning signs among Michigan adults. Neurology 2002;59:1547–1552 ) studied the knowledge of stroke risk factors and warning signs of stroke in a representative statewide sample of Michigan adults. The authors conducted a statewide survey of more than 2,500 adults. People were asked to report the three most important risk factors and the three most important warning signs for stroke.
Stroke Risk Factors and Warning Signs A list of correct stroke risk factors and warning signs can be found in tables 1 and 2.
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About 70% of the responders were able to list at least one correct stroke warning sign, but only 14% could name three. Over 30% of responders could not list any warning signs of stroke. Again, these tended to be people at the greatest risk for stroke.
Stroke Must Be Treated in the First 3 Hours In this study, people were asked what they would do first if someone were having a stroke. Almost 80% reported that they would call 911. Almost 90% knew that stroke victims need immediate medical treatment. However, family members, paid caregivers, and coworkers are much more likely to call 911 than the stroke victim themselves. Patients who call 911 and use ambulance transport arrive at the emergency department significantly earlier than those who do not. Certain medications to treat stroke must be used within the first 3 hours, so early arrival to the emergency department is critical.
This study showed that the general level of awareness regarding stroke risk factors and warning signs of stroke among Michigan adults was not very high. Knowledge of risk factors and warning signs of stroke was poorest in the elderly (75 years and older), men, blacks, persons with less education, smokers, those with high blood pressure, and those with poorer self-rated health. All of these groups are at higher risk of stroke. Other studies have found that people at high risk for stroke who are aware of the risks are more likely to follow measures to prevent stroke.
Stroke Is an Emergency Knowing the risk factors for stroke may help to prevent a stroke and knowing the warning signs of stroke may save a life. Stroke is an emergency: call 911.
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WHAT IS STROKE? |
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Top.Patient PageWHAT IS STROKE? |
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How Common Is Stroke? Every year, about 750,000 people in the United States suffer a stroke and about 160,000 die. Stroke is the nation’s number three killer after heart disease and cancer. Stroke is the number one cause of adult disability.
Stroke Is an Emergency. Call 911 immediately if you or someone you know experiences any of the above warning signs. Jot down the time the symptoms started. Sometimes these warning signs last for only a few minutes and then stop. But, even if that happens or if you feel better, call 911 for help.
RISK FACTORS FOR STROKE THAT CAN BE TREATED OR CHANGED
WHAT CAUSES A STROKE? There are two types of stroke or brain attack. Ischemic stroke is caused by an interruption of blood flow to the brain. Hemorrhagic stroke is caused by bleeding inside the brain.
Eighty percent of all strokes are ischemic. Ischemic stroke can be caused by narrowing of the large arteries to the brain, also known as atherosclerosis. If a clot forms in the neck vessels, pieces can break off and block a brain blood vessel. Clots may also form in the heart and travel by blood flow to the brain vessels where they become lodged.
Hemorrhagic stroke is caused by the bursting of a blood vessel in the brain. It accounts for 20% of strokes. Subarachnoid hemorrhage occurs when there are weak spots on brain arteries (aneurysms) that burst and cover the brain with blood. Blood vessels in the brain can also burst if they are weakened by high blood pressure, diabetes, and aging. Severe headache usually occurs with this type of stroke, as well as impaired consciousness and vomiting.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS FOR STROKE? Immediate medical care is critical for the person who is having a stroke or brain attack. New treatments work only if given within a few hours after the onset of a stroke. For example, a clot-busting drug must be given within three hours of stroke onset.
HOW IS STROKE PREVENTED? Some risk factors—age, sex, race, and a history of stroke in the family—cannot be changed. However, many others can be controlled. Most controllable risk factors relate to the health of the heart and blood vessels. The following can help prevent stroke:
FOR MORE INFORMATION: American Stroke Association, a Division of the American Heart Association
http://www.strokeassociation.org
National Stroke Association
AAN: Professional Information
AAN: Patient Education
http://www.thebrainmatters.org
Related Article
Neurology 2002 59: 1547-1552.
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