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Stop a Stroke Before It Strikes

“When I tell patients that they are at risk for stroke, often they feel helpless,” says Donald Martin, MD, of Dexter Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. “But the reason I give them this warning is not to alarm them, but because there are things people can do to lower their risk and prevent a stroke from happening. With my patients, I tell them what their risk factors are and, most importantly, provide clear instruction on how to stay as healthy as possible.”

The risk for stroke increases when people get older, but a stroke can hit at any age. At age 31, Tedy Bruschi was already a three-time Super Bowl champ. But in 2005, he added a more important accomplishment: stroke survivor. Bruschi was at home when he began having blurred vision and numbness on one side of his body. His wife called 911. The blood flow to part of Bruschi’s brain was disrupted, and he was having a stroke.

Fortunately, Bruschi’s story had a happy ending. After months of rehabilitation, he became the only player in National Football League history to return to the field after a stroke.

An Ounce of Prevention

“We know that some risk factors can’t be changed, so it’s good to be aware of them and pay special attention to lifestyle choices to keep your risk as low as it can be,” says Brad Wylie, MD, of Dexter Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. “If you’ve had a prior stroke or a heart attack, or if an immediate relative has had a stroke, your risk goes up. African Americans, American Indians, and Mexican Americans have a higher-than-average risk, and the probability of having a stroke increases with age. But I tell my patients that being in a high-risk category does not have to mean you will ever have a stroke. It just means you may have to work a bit harder to keep one from happening.”

Some of the risk factors you can control include:

• Smoking. The nicotine and carbon monoxide in cigarettes can damage blood vessels, making clots more likely. As a result, smokers have twice the stroke risk of nonsmokers. The good news: Your risk starts to drop as soon as you stop smoking. Within five years, it may be about the same as that of someone who has never smoked.
• Drinking more than the recommended amount. Heavy drinking is linked to an increased risk for stroke. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends no more than one alcoholic drink a day for women and no more than two for men.
• Being overweight and inactive. These things increase the risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. To cut your risk, all it takes is at least 30 minutes of moderate activity on all or most days of the week.
• Eating a high-sodium or high-fat diet. Good eating habits can help keep your blood pressure and cholesterol levels in check. For healthy individuals, the AHA advises eating less than 2,400 milligrams of sodium (6 grams of salt) daily. The AHA also recommends limiting foods that are high in saturated fat or cholesterol. You should also reduce the amount of trans fat and partially hydrogenated vegetable oil in your diet. These are found in some margarines and baked goods.

“If any of these risk factors apply to you, don’t give up hope,” Dr. Martin says. “Being informed about what you can do is half the battle. It helps to set goals for yourself and feel good about your successes. Any lifestyle change takes time and a lot of effort. I encourage everyone to talk to their physician about their risk and the best ways to reduce it.”

In the event you do suffer the disabling effects of a stroke, please contact your physician for a referral to the Therapy Department at Chelsea Community Hospital (CCH). Our neuro-rehab team will work with you to design a treatment plan to meet your goals and the goals of your physician.

If your treatment plan requires it, we offer a functional electrical stimulator that helps many stroke patients walk without a brace. The Ness L300™ system stimulates weak or impaired leg muscles to contract using a sophisticated timing mechanism that is set by the therapists working with the individual. CCH is the only hospital using this new technology in our area.

Warning Signs

Every second counts during a stroke. The sooner you get medical care, the better the odds of a successful recovery and rehabilitation. That’s why it is so important to know the warning signs of a stroke. Call 911 at once if you have any of these symptoms:

• Sudden numbness or weakness in your face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding others
• Sudden trouble seeing with one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

Get help right away, even if the symptoms clear up quickly or don’t cause pain.