Today is World Stroke Day! Please view the video below and pass it on. Call 911 or the emergency number in your area at the first sign of a stroke!

Recognise stroke F.A.S.T.

October is Sudden Cardiac Arrest Month

Know the signs and learn what to do if you see someone having a cardiac arrest. Immediate CPR can double or triple a person's chance of surviving. Your actions could help save someone's life.

Go to www.americanheart.org to find a CPR class near you.

American Heart Association Start! Video

Heart Attack Warning Signs

American Heart Association: Heart Attack Warning Signs
Some heart attacks are sudden and intense — the "movie heart attack," where no one doubts what's happening. But most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:
Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness
As with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.

Learn the signs, but remember this: Even if you're not sure it's a heart attack, have it checked out (tell a doctor about your symptoms). Minutes matter! Fast action can save lives — maybe your own. Don’t wait more than five minutes to call 9-1-1 or your emergency response number.

Calling 9-1-1 is almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment. Emergency medical services (EMS) staff can begin treatment when they arrive — up to an hour sooner than if someone gets to the hospital by car. EMS staff are also trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped. Patients with chest pain who arrive by ambulance usually receive faster treatment at the hospital, too. It is best to call EMS for rapid transport to the emergency room.

Recognize Stroke FAST

Time is critical in a stroke. Knowing and understanding stroke symptoms can save lives and reduce disabilities.

Act F.A.S.T. by recognizing and responding to stroke symptoms using the F.A.S.T. method:

F = Face Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

A = Arm Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one are drift downward?

S = Speech Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Does the speech sound slurred or strange?

T = Time If you observe any of these signs, it’s time to call 9-1-1 or get to the nearest stroke center or hospital.

Please check this out! An Easy way to recognize Stroke FAST:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHzz2cXBlGk

Welcome to YOUR BLOG , STROKE ED. My name is Marcie Wilson. I am an RN and the Stroke Outreach Coordinator for the Brain and Spine Institute at University Medical Center at Brackenridge. My role is to educate our community on Stroke signs and symptoms, risk factors, preventation, what to do in case of a stroke and new treatments. This Blog is published for you. I would appreciate any advice or comments that would make this a user friendly blog.

Definition of Stroke:

By Mayo Clinic staff

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to a part of your brain is interrupted or severely reduced, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. Within a few minutes, brain cells begin to die.

Stroke is a medical emergency, and prompt treatment of a stroke is crucial. Early treatment can minimize damage to your brain and potential stroke complications.

The good news is that strokes can be treated, and many fewer Americans now die of strokes than was the case 20 or 30 years ago. Improvement in the control of major risk factors for stroke — high blood pressure, smoking and high cholesterol — is likely responsible for the decline.