Is your loved one displaying stroke symptoms? Use the FAST test

The FAST Test  

If your loved one suddenly was unable to speak and was acting strangely, would you know how to check for a stroke?  The FAST test can be used to determine if he is having a stroke and get medical help quickly.  

F             FACE.  “Ask the person to smile.  Does one side of the face droop?”

A             ARMS.  “Ask the person to raise both arms.  Does one arm drift downward?”

S             SPEECH.  “Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase.  Is his speech slurred or strange?”

T             TIME  “If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately.”

More information from the National Stroke Association can be accessed at http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=SYMP

What's a stroke?

Every 40 seconds an American suffers a stroke.  One in every 18 deaths in the United States is caused by a stroke.  In 2008, 60.1% of all stroke deaths involved women.  American Heart Association, Women and Cardiovascular Disease, http://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@sop/@smd/documents/downloadable/ucm_319576.pdf

What’s a stroke?  It’s damage that occurs in the brain when oxygen delivery to an area of the brain is interrupted.  A stroke can be caused by two different occurrences:  from ischemia (lack of blood supply) and a hemorrhage (bleeding within the brain).  Approximately 85% of strokes are ischemic strokes.  In this type of stroke, plaque buildup inside the arteries and/or a blood clot interferes with the blood flow to the brain.  During a hemorrhagic stroke, a blood vessel to the brain ruptures and blood accumulates into and around the brain tissue.   http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/123/4/e18.full  

Time is critical in the treatment of stroke.  According to the National Stroke Association, the first three hours after onset of stroke symptoms are the recommended timeframe for ‘clot-busting drugs.’  http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=treatment   

How can you know if your loved one is dealing with stroke symptoms?  Take the FAST test.  More tomorrow.    

What is a heart attack (myocardial infarction)?

Every 25 seconds (average) an American suffers a coronary event, and every minute someone dies from heart/cardiovascular disease. http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/123/4/e18.full

What is a heart attack (myocardial infarction)?  The heart muscle needs oxygen just like the rest of our muscles.  Did you know that your heart which pumps blood throughout your body constantly needs a blood supply to the heart itself?  This blood supply (coronary arteries) provides the heart muscle with oxygenated blood.  If the coronary arteries become clogged by either plaque (from atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries) or a blood clot, then the blood supply cannot reach all areas of the heart.  The heart muscle can be damaged and die from lack of oxygen.  That’s a heart attack or myocardial infarction.  (Myocardium is the medical term for heart muscle.  Infarction means an area of tissue death due to lack of oxygen.)  

One major contributing factor to a heart attack (and cardiovascular disease) involves atherosclerosis.  Atherosclerosis means a layer of plaque (excess cholesterol and other substances) builds up inside the arteries and decreases the inside diameter of the artery, and can partially block the blood supply.  In some cases, this decreased artery size can cause sluggish blood flow and clot formation inside the artery.  

Women may suffer from classic heart symptoms but often do not

Sister Dorothy sent an email yesterday and shared the bad news that her good friend and neighbor lady fell injuring herself.  A trip to the hospital found bruises but no broken bones.  The doctors believe this lady had a slight heart attack.  She has no history of heart attack and did not display the classic symptoms of a heart attack.  No ‘elephant sitting on my chest.’ This lady, like many other females, found herself dealing with the subtle symptoms and did not recognize what was happening to her. 

Saturday morning-- We've had sad news from Arizona--the neighbor lady who suffered a heart attack died last night.  Those who knew and loved her are grieving today.  She was special and will be missed.  Our thoughts and prayers go to family and friends who mourn the loss of this special lady. 

Tomorrow I answer the question, What is a heart attack?   

February 3, National Wear Red Day

February 3, National Wear Red Day emphasizes women’s heart health.  As people around the country wear red today, they are supporting women’s heart health initiatives.  

Women may worry about breast cancer and see it as a scary prospect, and it is.  However in 2008, more women died from heart/cardiovascular disease (419,730) than from all forms of cancer combined (270,210). “More than one in three female adults has some form of cardiovascular disease (CVD).  Since 1984, the number of CVD deaths for females has exceeded those for males.”  (American Heart Association, Women & Cardiovascular Diseases, http://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@sop/@smd/documents/downloadable/ucm_319576.pdf

Now that I have your attention, what do women need to know about heart disease? “64% of women who died suddenly of CVD had no previous symptoms.” For many years the medical community believed heart disease predominantly affected men.  The symptoms publicized were the classic symptoms of pressure (“an elephant sitting on my chest”) and discomfort that affects one or both arms, upper back, neck, jaw or stomach.  The person may also sweat, feel unable to catch his breath,  feel fatigued, nauseated and/or dizzy.

Anyone (either man or woman) can experience these classic symptoms. However, doctors are recognizing that women may not experience the classic symptoms.  Some women may instead deal with (and ignore) subtle symptoms such as fatigue, feeling short of breath and feeling nauseated.  Women often ignore these subtle symptoms and do not get the medical help they need. 

Ladies (and the men who love them), please do not ignore these symptoms.  Seek medical help when you experience these symptoms. 

How caregivers can better deal with caregivers' stresses Part 6

6.  As a caregiver, put yourself high on the priorities list.  Serious illness affects the entire family, not just the individual needing care.  Caregiver organizations are quick to point out that caregiving causes stress and caregivers need to take care of themselves.  

The American Heart Association gives this advice to caregivers:  “Pace yourself.  This is a marathon, not a sprint.  Seek sustenance and help along the way.”  http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Caregiver/RealityCheck/BeRealisticThinkPositive/Be-Realistic-Think-Positive_UCM_301771_Article.jsp#.TxtJBvkqjC8   Every caregiver needs to consider himself and his needs so he doesn’t become stressed out, worn out and burned out.   

Information and support groups can be found at reputable caregiver’s organizations such as the National Family Caregivers Association at http://www.nfcacares.org and the Family Caregiver Alliance at www.caregiver.org  Organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Association at http://alz.org, the American Cancer Society at http://cancer.org and American Heart Association at http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/ also provide valuable, reliable information and support for families dealing with those illnesses. 

How caregivers can better deal with caregivers' stresses Part 5

5.  What resources and help can you get?  Do you need to hire help/utilize your helpful, willing volunteers? Can meals be delivered by Meals on Wheels/Senior Citizen’s programs?  Have you heard of 211 network?  

The 211 Network is an American resource center which provides information.  The 211 network is available 24/7 and provides free information to the caller.  The 211 network is a grassroots effort, usually funded by the United Way or other service agency.  The 211 network is accredited nationally by the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems who determines the standards by which a 211 network operates.  The 211 network can be accessed by calling 2-1-1 or on-line at http://www.211.org/.  By entering a zip code and/or city, you can access services/resources which are available to caregivers.

A second resource that caregivers can access is an Area Agency of Aging at   http://www.eldercare.gov/Eldercare.NET/Public/Index.aspx or 1-800-677-1116.