Having diabetes puts you at an increased risk. for stroke. control your diabetes. Common stroke larly important if you have diabetes because they …
Cholesterol and Diabetes: Know your numbers
If your cholesterol is high, work with your doctor to control it Your total cholesterol level LDL and HDL should not exceed 200 You are at high risk for stroke if your cholesterol level tests over 240 or you dont know it A cholesterol level of between 200 and 239 places you at moderate risk Lowering your cholesterol may reduce your risk for stroke Often times, high cholesterol can be controlled with diet and exercise; some individuals may require medication Get your blood sugar level under control with your doctors recommendations Having diabetes puts you at an increased risk for stroke Fatty deposits can block the arteries, which carry blood from your heart to your brain This kind of blockage, if left untreated, can cause stroke Sickle cell disease, severe anemia, or other diseases can cause stroke if left untreated Your doctor can prescribe a nutrition program, lifestyle changes and medication that can help control your diabetes
Common stroke symptoms are:
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
This brochure brought to you courtesy of an unrestricted educational grant from GE Healthcare
Stroke is an Emergency
Call 911 if you see or have any of these symptoms Treatment can be more effective if given quickly Every minute counts
Learn to recognize stroke symptoms Call 911
1-800-STROKES 1-800-787-6537 wwwstrokeorg
NSA publications are reviewed for scientific and medical accuracy by the NSA Publications Committee National Stroke Association, May 2005 BG2 4/00
African Americans are twice as likely to die from stroke as Caucasians And the rate of first strokes in African Americans is almost double that of Caucasians The statistics are staggering African Americans are affected by stroke more often than any other group
National Stroke Associations Stroke Prevention Guidelines
Stroke risk factors are the things that likely cause strokes Some stroke risk factors are beyond your control such as being over age 55, being male, being African American, or having a family history of stroke If you have one or more of these risk factors, its even more important that
you learn about the lifestyle and medical changes you can make to prevent a stroke
days each week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Exercise may reduce your risk of stroke Before you start a vigorous exercise program, be sure to check with your doctor
Eat Right
Enjoy a lower-sodium salt, lower-fat diet By reducing the sodium and fat in your diet, you may lower your blood pressure and, more importantly, lower your risk for stroke Eat a diet that consists of fruits, vegetables cooked without fat, lean meats such as chicken and fish, and high-fiber foods such as beans and whole-grain breads
Why?
Not all of the reasons are clear why African Americans have an increased risk of stroke Some factors include a higher rate of: High blood pressure Diabetes Sickle cell disease For all racial groups, stroke is the third leading cause of death in America and the No 1 cause of adult disability The good news is that 80 percent of the 750,000 peop 
le who have a stroke in the US each year is preventable Stroke is literally a brain attack, cutting off the vital blood and oxygen to the brain cells that control everything we do — from speaking, to walking and
breathing Most strokes occur when blood clots block or the gradual build-up of plaque and fatty deposits clog arteries Some strokes can be caused by arteries bursting when weak spots on a blood vessel wall break The National Stroke Associations stroke prevention guidelines will help you learn how you may be able to lower your stroke risk If you do have a stroke, new treatments can help stop the brain damage and disability — but you must recognize the common stroke symptoms and get immediate medical attention Treat strokes as an emergency
Lifestyle Risk Factors:
Smoking, drinking too much alcohol, being overweight and avoiding exercise You can control these risk factors Weight, diet and exercise are particularly important if you have diabetes because they can help control the diabetes and reduce the higher risk of stroke that comes with diabetes It may be easier to make these lifestyle changes one at a time Remember to ask your doctor for help
Medical Risk Factors:
Previous stroke, previous transient ischemic attack or TIA, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease, atrial fibrillation and carotid artery disease These medical risk factors can be controlled by surgery
or medication
Blood Pressure: Know Your Range
If its elevated, work with your doctor to control it High blood pressure hypertension is one of the most common causes of stroke Your blood pressure is expressed in two numbers, for example 120/80 The first number, known as systolic blood pressure, is when your heart pumps The second number, the diastolic blood pressure, reflects when your heart is at rest For people over age 18, optimal blood pressure is considered 120/80 or lower A blood pressure reading consistently higher than 120/80 is considered pre-hypertension High blood pressure or hypertension is a measurement of 140/90 or higher
If you smoke, stop
Smoking doubles the risk for stroke If you stop smoking today, your risk for stroke will immediately begin to decrease
If you drink alcohol, drink in moderation
Drinking a glass of wine or beer or one mixed drink each day may lower your risk for stroke, provided that there is no medical reason you should avoid alcohol Remember that alcohol is a drug — it can interact with other drugs you are taking, and alcohol is harmful if taken in large doses If you drink too much, cut back or stop If you dont drink, dont start
Special
Note:
Atrial fibrillation AF is a type of irregular heartbeat where the two upper chambers of the heart atria beat rapidly and unpredictable Your doctor can detect AF by carefully checking your pulse Also, symptoms may appear for a short period of time and then disappear, possibly indicating Transient Ischemic Attacks, or TIAs Although it might be tempting to ignore them, its important to call 911 whenever you experience any stroke symptoms
Include exercise in your daily routine
Even a little bit of exercise a brisk walk, bicycle ride, swim or yard work can make a difference Adults should engage in moderate-intensity physical activities for at least 30 minutes five or more
Source:unh.edu
