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LEARN HOW TO MAKE OUR TYPE LARGER

Save lives with the three Rs
Published July/August 2000

(NAPS) - Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the nation. To heighten public awareness, Robert Guillaume, two-time Emmy winner and star of “Benson” and “SportsNight,” is teaming up with the National Stroke Association (NSA) to urge the public to learn more about stroke. Public service announcements featuring Guillaume are being aired across the country as part of NSA’s aggressive effort.

Nearly 750,000 people will suffer a stroke this year. According to NSA, almost 50 percent of strokes are preventable. Guillaume urges people to follow the three simple Rs of stroke. “Reduce risk, recognize stroke symptoms and respond by calling 911,” says Guillaume.

Stroke kills 160,000 people annually. The public remains dangerously uninformed about this devastating condition. One of the ways to reduce risk is to recognize the symptoms of a Transient Ischemic Attack-a serious warning of a stroke waiting to happen. More than one-third of all people who experience TIAs will experience a stroke. “A year before my life-threatening stroke, I experienced a TIA. I didn’t know it at the time, but it was a serious warning of a stroke waiting to happen,” said Guillaume.

A recent survey conducted by Roper Starch Worldwide and sponsored by NSA, indicates that 2.5 percent of all adults age 18 or over (4.9 million) have been diagnosed with TIAs. Of those adults 65 years of age and older, 8.5 percent (2.6 million) have been diagnosed with TIAs. A stroke or “brain attack” occurs when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel, or when a blood vessel breaks, interrupting blood flow to an area of the brain. A stroke attacks brain cells and is a life-threatening medical emergency. Treatment is more effective if it is administered quickly and early response can greatly effect the outcome of stroke.

Reduce the risk
Much has been learned regarding prevention of a stroke. The National Stroke Association has developed 10 guidelines to prevent stroke. Know your blood pressure and work with your doctor if it is elevated. Check your pulse twice a year to determine if you have an irregular heartbeat, a condition that may mean atrial fibrillation and see your doctor if you detect an irregular pulse. Stop smoking and reduce not just stroke risk, but also a host of other debilitating diseases. While recent studies suggest a small glass of wine a day may protect against stroke, excessive alcohol intake increases your risk. Too much weight puts a strain on the circulatory system, so losing excess fat through diet and exercise helps reduce stroke risk. Avoid fried foods, keep your cholesterol levels in check and eat a low sodium diet. Above all, be sure to consult a physician.

Recognize stroke symptoms
Any stroke symptom requires immediate medical attention, even if it disappears quickly. Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg; sudden blurred vision or trouble seeing; difficulty speaking or understanding simple statements; sudden dizziness, loss of balance or loss of coordination; sudden, unexplainable and intense headache are all signs a stroke may be occurring. Symptoms that come and go quickly could mean a TIA, a serious warning sign of a stroke.

Respond by calling 911
Every minute counts. When a stroke occurs, blood supply to the brain is cut off and brain cells begin to die. The damage may continue to build for hours after the initial stroke. The quicker a person receives treatment, the greater his chances for recovery. Medications are available that dissolve blood clots quickly allowing blood and oxygen to flow to the brain.

The National Stroke Association is urging people to take control of their risk. Know the symptoms and seek immediate medical attention if any of the warning signs are present. “We can help save lives by educating the public on ways to prevent stroke while learning to recognize the symptoms,” according to NSA’s Executive Director/CEO, Patti Shwayder.

The National Stroke Association is a leading independent national nonprofit organization focusing on stroke, specifically prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and support for stroke survivors and their families. For more information on stroke, contact the NSA at 1-800-STROKES (1-800-787-6537) or visit www.stroke.org on the Web.

Stroke symptoms

Sudden numbness or weakness of 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

If you see or have any of these symptoms, call 911! Every minute counts.

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