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.