A Visual Guide to Understanding Stroke!

Stroke Pictures Slideshow: A Visual Guide to Understanding Stroke on http://www.medicinenet.com/stroke_pictures_slideshow/article.htm

Child Nutrition Act Passes! AHA - Advocacy You Are the Cure

Proper nutrition and physical activity are two ways to help prevent CVD and Stroke. On December 2nd, the House of Representatives passed the Child Nutrition Act, by a vote of 264 to 157! This action completes Congress’ work on the bill and sends it to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

We can all be proud that the final bill contains provisions that will help ensure a healthier school environment for our kids, including removing junk foods from schools, strengthening school wellness policies and increasing funding for more nutritious school lunches.

Find out how your Representative voted, then join us in thanking supportive Representatives for their vote by sending a quick message!

Taking Action to Fight Childhood Obesity

Taking Action to Fight Childhood Obesity
Councilmember Laura Morrison invited Austin leaders who serve on Council Boards and Commissions and other stakeholders to participate in a forum yesterday to consider what the City of Austin can do to fight childhood obesity.
The forum was targeted toward the City's Boards and Commissions members because they are uniquely positioned to initiate actionable recommendations which can affect the health of the Austin community. Forum participants heard from experts in the areas of the urban form & the built environment, nutrition & food access, physical activity and health literacy & culture.

The goal was to challenge the participants to think creatively about solutions and to develop recommendations to improve the health of children in Austin.

CANews December 1, 2010 http://conta.cc/hOkGrZ via #constantcontact

Diabetes Expected to Soar in Texas

A new report released this week by the Texas Health Institute predicts that the number of Texans with diabetes will quadruple by 2040. "Responding to the Epidemic: Strategies for Improving Diabetes Care in Texas" notes that the overall cost of diabetes in Texas exceeds $12.5 billion a year and is the primary cause of office visits for Texas Medicaid patients.

World Stroke Day!

Did you know?
Friday, Oct. 29, is World Stroke Day. The American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association are joining with the World Stroke Organization, an international health organization, to spread the message about the global threat of stroke. This year’s theme is “One in Six: Act Now!”

One of every six people worldwide will have a stroke in their lifetime. Stroke is the third-leading cause of death in the United States and the second-leading cause of death in the world. Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States suffers a stroke. Find out what you can do to Act Now by using American Heart Association and American Stroke Association tools and resources listed at the bottom of this page.
Here’s something else you can do on World Stroke Day: At precisely 1:06 p.m., take the My Life Check assessment to learn where you stand with health factors that could lead to stroke. Then share the link with six special people in your life. The assessment tool allows you to determine your level of heart health, identify risk factors and change behavior.

The World Stroke Organization also wants you to Act Now by taking on these six challenges to lower your stroke risk:

Know the risk factors for stroke that you can do something about — high blood pressure, diabetes and high blood cholesterol — and work to keep them in a healthy range.
Be physically active and exercise regularly
Adopt a healthy diet.
Limit alcohol consumption.
Avoid cigarette smoke. If you smoke, seek help to stop now.
Learn to recognize the warning signs of a stroke and how to take action.

Check out this great MSN Video: Blood Pressure & The Brain

Check out this great MSN Video: Blood Pressure & The Brain

Atrial fib and Stroke

Atrial fibrillation is a potentially serious condition.2 The irregular heartbeat associated with AFib can cause blood to pool in the atria, which can result in the formation of clots.2 These blood clots can travel from the heart to the brain, where they can lead to a stroke.2 Strokes associated with AFib can be about twice as likely to be fatal4 or severely disabling as non-AFib-related strokes. Many patients don’t believe they are at risk, AFib is associated with up to 15 percent of all strokes in the U.S.,” said Mellanie True Hills, StopAfib.org founder. “We’ve joined Facing AFib to arm patients and caregivers with important information about AFib and stroke and to empower them to be proactive in their efforts to reduce stroke risk.”


ATRIAL FIBRILLATION IN AMERICA

An estimated 2.3 million Americans have AFib6, making it one of the most serious common heart
rhythm disorders

o It is projected that by 2050, 5.6 million U.S. adults will have AFib

Up to 15 percent of all strokes in the U.S. are associated with AFib

Three to five percent of Americans over the age of 65 have AFib

Salt and High Blood Pressure

Sodium: A Good Thing...in Moderation
We may malign the salt shaker, but sodium plays an important role in maintaining the body's fluid balance. It's essential for muscles and nerves to function properly. But most of us consume too much of it. FDA guidelines call for less than 2,400 mg of sodium per day -- about 1 teaspoon of table salt. Surprisingly, most of our salt intake doesn't come from the salt shaker; it's hidden in many of the foods we buy at the grocery store.

MedicineNet.com

Symptoms of Coronary Artery (Heart) Disease

Symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease
The most common symptom of coronary artery disease is angina, or chest pain. Angina can be described as a discomfort, heaviness, pressure, aching, burning, fullness, squeezing, or painful feeling in your chest. It can be mistaken for indigestion or heartburn. Angina is usually felt in the chest, but may also be felt in the shoulders, arms, neck, throat, jaw, or back.

Other symptoms of coronary artery disease include:

Shortness of breath
Palpitations (irregular heart beats, skipped beats, or a "flip-flop" feeling in your chest)
A faster heartbeat
Weakness or dizziness
Nausea
Sweating
Symptoms of a Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction or MI)
Symptoms of a heart attack can include:

Discomfort, pressure, heaviness, or pain in the chest, arm, or below the breastbone
Discomfort radiating to the back, jaw, throat, or arm
Fullness, indigestion, or choking feeling (may feel like heartburn)
Sweating, nausea, vomiting, or dizziness
Extreme weakness, anxiety, or shortness of breath
Rapid or irregular heartbeats
During a heart attack, symptoms typically last 30 minutes or longer and are not relieved by rest or oral medications (medications taken by mouth). Initial symptoms can start as a mild discomfort that progresses to significant pain.

Some people have a heart attack without having any symptoms (a "silent" MI). A silent MI can occur among all people, though it occurs more often among diabetics.

If you think you are having a heart attack, DO NOT DELAY. Call for emergency help (dial 911 in most areas). Immediate treatment of a heart attack is very important to lessen the amount of damage to your heart.

TX CVD/Stroke Promotional Awards

Seton Family of Hospitals Community Stroke Outreach Education Program has been named the TX CVD/Stroke 2010 Promotion Awards
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/wellness/proaward.shtm

Community CVD/Stroke Outreach Education, Seton Family of Hospitals (Austin) Program Representative: Lauren Brandt, RN MSN CNRN
Seton Medical Center and University Medical Center at Brackenridge were the first two hospitals in Texas to be JCAHO certified as Primary Stroke Centers. The importance of public awareness of stroke risk factors, primary and secondary prevention, recognition of warning signs, timely access to emergency care and health screening in at high risk population are all essential components to our CVD/Stroke Outreach Program. In the past 6 years have coordinated, partnered and collaborated with multiple health care and faith based community organizations to bring educational awareness of cardiovascular disease and stroke through health screenings, media campaigns, workshops and special events to residents in the Austin, Round Rock MSA, with special emphasis on the underserved, high risk population. With the recent state of the economy and so many individuals out of work and uninsured, the need for providing community health screening, education and support to at risk groups and communities has never been more critical.

PREVENTION, Best treatment for stroke!

The best treatment for stroke is prevention. There are several risk factors that increase your chances of having a stroke:
High blood pressure
Heart disease
Smoking
Diabetes
High cholesterol
If you smoke – quit. If you have high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or high cholesterol, getting them under control – and keeping them under control – will greatly reduce your chances of having a stroke.

BetterMe Coaching Tool

BetterMe Coaching Tool: "The Go Red BetterMe Coaching Tool is the perfect companion to the Go Red BetterU 12-week program. Every day, you'll get tips, reminders, and more sent directly to your tool. You'll also be able to chat directly with other members of the program on the “Wall” share tips, motivational quotes, and work through barriers with others. You can also access and edit your journal entries directly from the tool."

Go Red BetterU is a FREE 12-week online nutrition and fitness program

Go Red BetterU is a FREE 12-week online nutrition and fitness program that can makeover your heart. Each week will focus on a different area of your health and provide step-by-step guidance. You’ll have access to everything from daily expert tips and an online journal to a downloadable BetterMe coaching tool.
Go to the website listed belowto get started on a 12 week online FREE nutrition and fitness program.
Please pass this on to your family and friends.

http://www.goredforwomen.org/BetterU/index.aspx

Life's Simple Seven - Do your life's Check Assessment Today

Life's Simple Seven - Do your life's Check Assessment Today

[Image]
http://mylifecheck.heart.org/Multitab.aspx?NavID=3&CultureCode=en-US

My Life Check was designed by the American Heart Association with the goal of improved health by educating the public on how best to live. These measures have one unique thing in common: any person can make these changes, the steps are not expensive to take and even modest improvements to your health will make a big difference. Start with one or two. This simple, seven step list has been developed to deliver on the hope we all have--to live a long, productive healthy life.

Power to End Stroke - Join the PTES Movement

Power To End Stroke is an education and awareness campaign that embraces and celebrates the culture, energy, creativity and lifestyles of Americans. It unites people to help make an impact on the high incidence of stroke within their communities.

Power To End Stroke was created in 2006 by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association to help reach the ASA mission to reduce stroke and risk of stroke by 25% by 2010. It was also meant to raise critical awareness within the African American population. Heart disease and stroke are major health risks for all people, but African Americans are at particularly high risk. Consider this:

Blacks have almost twice the risk of first-ever strokes compared to whites.
Blacks have higher death rates for stroke compared to whites.
The prevalence of high blood pressure in African Americans in the United States is the highest in the world.

Go to the website below and join the PTES Movement.
http://www.powertoendstroke.org/join-member-signup.html

WOMEN AND STROKE

http://www.youtube.com/user/PowerToEndStroke
WOMEN AND STROKE
Women's Stroke Risk

One way you can improve your odds for not having a stroke is to learn about the lifestyle changes and medicines that can lower your stroke risk.

Some risk factors are the same for men and women:

a family history of stroke
high blood pressure
high cholesterol
smoking
diabetes
being overweight
not exercising

Other risks are unique to women:

taking birth control pills
being pregnant; stroke risk increases during a normal pregnancy due to natural changes in the body such as increased blood pressure and stress on the heart
using Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), a combined hormone therapy of progestin and estrogen, to relieve menopausal symptoms
having a thick waist and high triglyceride (blood fat) level; post-menopausal women with a waist size larger than 35.2 inches and a triglyceride level higher than 128 milligrams per liter may have a five-fold increased risk for stroke
being a migraine headache sufferer; migraines can increase a woman's stroke risk 3-6 times, and most Americans who suffer migraines are women

To understand and control your particular stroke risk, talk to your doctor.

Study Shows Women with Atrial Fibrillation (AF) Have Catheter Ablations Later Than Men, And Have Worse Results

Study Shows Women with Atrial Fibrillation (AF) Have Catheter Ablations Later Than Men, And Have Worse Results

New research from Dr. Andrea Natale and colleagues on gender disparities in atrial fibrillation points out that women with afib are less likely to have catheter ablation treatment than men. When they do have atrial fibrillation catheter ablations, they tend to be older and sicker, meaning that they are more likely to have persistent or long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation instead of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. In addition, they tend to have had more failed antiarrhythmic drugs and end up having more complications from catheter ablation than men.
Read more: Women with Atrial Fibrillation Less Likely To Get Catheter Ablation Than Men — And Have More Complications

Want to know Your Risk For Heart Attack & Stroke? Take The Risk Assessment Test

To assess your risk of heart disease or stroke, and learn how you can improve your odds just use the link below!
https://www.americanheart.org/gglRisk/locale/en_US/

Heart Attack - Coronary Heart Disease - Metabolic Syndrome Risk Assessment

Learn YOUR Risk! Do you know how these controllable risk factors affect your risk of heart disease, stroke and metabolic syndrome?
smoking
high blood pressure
high blood cholesterol
diabetes
being overweight or obese
physical inactivity
It’s essential that you measure your risk of heart disease and make a plan for how to prevent it in the near future.

Use this tool to help you assess your risk of having a heart attack or dying from coronary heart disease in the next 10 years. It will also check to see if you may have metabolic syndrome, a group of risk factors that greatly increase your chances of developing cardiovascular disease, including stroke and diabetes.

This Risk Assessment can be use by people age 20 or older who do not already have heart disease or diabetes.

After you have finished using the tool, you can upload your results into your personal Google HealthTM account or you can print a copy of your risk assessment results, risk factor summary report, metabolic syndrome assessment and action plans for those areas you need to work on in order to reduce your risk.

Smoking Increases Your Risk for Stroke

Smoking increases your chance of stroke 2 1/2 times more than none smokers:
How Can You Quit?
Smokers have more help than ever before to help
them quit successfully. Talk with your doctor
about the best way for you to quit smoking. It is
common for people to use a combination of the
following: medication, replacing unhealthy habits
with healthy habits, and emotional support. The
following sections describe these tools and how
they may be helpful for you. Remember: The urge to
smoke a cigarette will pass in three short
minutes.
20 minutes after quitting Your blood pressure drops to the level it was before the last cigarette
8 hours after quitting The carbon monoxide in your blood drops to normal.
24 hours after quitting Your chance of a heart attack decreases.
2 weeks to 3 months
after quitting Your circulation improves and your lung function increases.
1 to 9 months Your lungs regain normal function to clean the lungs and to reduce
after quitting infection.
1 year after quitting Your risk of heart disease is cut in half.
5-15 years after quitting Your stroke risk is reduced to that of a non-smoker.
10 years after quitting Your risk of lung cancer is about one-half that of a smoker. Your risk for
cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreas
decreases.
15 years after quitting Your risk of heart disease is that of a non-smoker.

Reduce your chances of a second stroke by 65 percent by getting your cholesterol and blood pressure to optimal levels (HDL cholesterol over 50; LDL cholesterol under 70; triglycerides under 150; blood pressure less than 120/80), says a 2009 study.

Don't Forget About Stroke During American Heart Month

By: Dr. Fredrick Phillips
HealthNewsDigest.com
Augusta, GA — Cardiovascular disease is just a fancy way to say heart disease, right? Wrong. The term cardiovascular disease actually describes diseases and conditions that affect not just your heart but also your blood vessels. During American Heart Month, it’s important that the public increases their awareness both of heart attack as well as other cardiovascular diseases like stroke.
Stroke is the third leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. Risk factors for stroke include:
Age: Those older than 55 have an increased risk of stroke.
Family history: If a parent, grandparent or sibling has had a stroke, you too are at higher risk.
Race: African-Americans are at higher risk of stroke than Caucasians and other races.
Gender: While men typically suffer more strokes, women are more likely to die from strokes, due to complications related to use of birth control and pregnancy.
Prior stroke, TIA or heart attack: If you have already had a stroke, a transient ischemic attack (which is a mini-stroke that causes symptoms but no lasting damage) or a heart attack, your risk of a secondary stroke is increased.
If you suffer or suspect a loved one has suffered a stroke, time is of the essence. There is only a three-hour window from the onset of stroke symptoms for patients to be treated by tPA, the clot-busting drug that is recommended for most ischemic strokes. After initial treatment and stabilization in an acute-care hospital, most stroke survivors will also benefit from treatment in a rehabilitation setting. Physical, occupational and speech therapy, especially if started as soon as possible after the stroke, can help stroke survivors recover mobility, fine motor skills, swallowing and language skills more quickly.
The great thing is that the same steps you take to help prevent heart disease will also help reduce your risk of stroke. These include simple steps like:
Exercising
Eating better and losing weight
Quitting smoking
Controlling cholesterol
Managing blood sugar
Lowering blood pressure
If you are at risk of heart attack or stroke, talk to your doctor today about how he or she can help you reduce your risk. And if you are a stroke survivor continuing to experience stroke aftereffects, talk to your doctor too. There may be therapies available to help you improve your mobility and regain more independence.

Nothing Tricky

Please view this video! It can save a life. Hands only CPR

Hands only CPR

Hands only CPR has been rolled out by American Heart Association for by standers: Main thing to remember- if you see someone collapse call 911 and and start heart compressions. You can save a life.

Typical heart attack symptoms

Typical heart attack symptoms
Symptom Description
Chest discomfort or pain This discomfort or pain can feel like a tight ache, pressure, fullness or squeezing in the center of your chest lasting more than a few minutes. This discomfort may come and go.
Upper body pain Pain or discomfort may spread beyond your chest to your shoulders, arms, back, neck, teeth or jaw. You may have upper body pain with no chest discomfort.
Stomach pain Pain may extend downward into your abdominal area and may feel like heartburn.
Shortness of breath You may pant for breath or try to take in deep breaths. This often occurs before you develop chest discomfort.
Anxiety You may feel a sense of doom or feel as if you're having a panic attack for no apparent reason.
Lightheadedness You may feel dizzy or feel like you might pass out.
Sweating You may suddenly break into a sweat with cold, clammy skin.
Nausea and vomiting You may feel sick to your stomach or vomit.
Heart attack symptoms vary widely. For instance, you may have only minor chest pain while someone else has excruciating pain.

One thing applies to everyone, though: If you suspect you're having a heart attack, call for emergency medical help immediately. Don't waste time trying to diagnose heart attack symptoms yourself.

Women and Heart Disease - Go RED- Hear Check Up

Go Red Heart CheckUp
Go Back to Google Health Welcome to the most important choice you may make today. - the Go Red Heart CheckUp
You may look and feel healthy. But do you know your risk for developing heart disease in the next 10 years? The Go Red Heart CheckUp only takes a few minutes to take and will assess your main cardiovascular health risk factors. With results, you'll be rewarded with a Personal Action Plan. It's your customized guide to help you achieve your fitness and nutrition goals and live heart smart. Take the Go Red Heart CheckUp today to learn your risk.
It only takes a few minutes and can save your life.

Stand up and speak out against heart disease in women by wearing red on Friday, Feb. 5. The picture below will be on the Feb. issue of Austin Woman Magazine.

Women and Cardiovascular Disease


Go Red For Women is the American Heart Association's nationwide movement that celebrates the energy, passion and power we have as women to band together and fight heart disease, the No. 1 killer of American women. Learn more
Love Your Heart? Take the Heart Checkup!
By knowing your numbers and assessing your risks now, you can work with your doctor to significantly reduce your chances of getting heart disease tomorrow, next year or 30 years from now!

Healthier lifestyle for 2010

Make 2010 the year to live a healthier lifestyle for yourself and your loved ones!
Learn more about Heart Attack signs and symptoms.
Watch this very important video.

http://video.about.com/heartdisease/Heart-Attack.htm