Stroke often leads to widespread and long-lasting problems. However, informing your community of the causes, symptoms and treatments of stroke can be the difference between life and death. Literally. My Hometown Health from Brentwood Communications provides 8 pages to help educate your community about the screenings they should consider and the treatment available from your hospital. And as busy marketing directors, BCI makes publishing a community health magazine that drives traffic to your hospital easy and affordable! The BCI editorial team pulls together stroke education facts and develops a master model magazine for your hospital to customize, like the content that follows:
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is one of the leading causes of stroke. In fact, almost 35 percent of all AFib patients will have a stroke at some time. But AFib is only one of the many risk factors that can cause a stroke. Other risk factors include:
- High Blood Pressure
- Obesity
- High Cholesterol Levels
- Diabetes
- Previous Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack
- Over the Age of 65
- Family History of Stroke
Lifestyle choices can also increase the risk of stroke:
- Smoking
- Lack of Exercise
- Unhealthy Diet
- Consuming More Than 2 Alcoholic Drinks per Day
What Is a Stroke?
A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen to the brain is blocked by a clot or ruptures. Within minutes, the nerve cells in that area of the brain are damaged, and the part of the body controlled by those cells cannot function properly.
Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and one of the leading causes of serious long-term disability in senior adults. Someone in America suffers a stroke every 40 seconds.
Know the Symptoms and Act F.A.S.T.
When a person has a stroke, seeking medical care as soon as possible is essential. Whenever possible, medical care should be administered within the first three hours after the symptoms appear. That’s why it’s so important to know the symptoms of a stroke, which usually occur very rapidly. If you think someone is having a stroke, Just remember to act F.A.S.T.
Face: A stroke usually affects only one side of the body. Ask the person to smile. Is the smile uneven or only on one side of the face?
Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
Speech: Ask the person to speak a simple sentence. Are the words slurred?
Time: If the answer to any of the above questions is “YES,” it’s time to take action and call 911.
Treatment for a stroke can be very effective if given in a timely manner. About 87 percent of all stroke cases are ischemic strokes, which occur when a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain is obstructed. The FDA-approved treatment for ischemic strokes, tPa, has proven highly effective in saving lives and reducing the long-term effects of stroke. In fact, research has shown that when tPa is given within three hours of having a stroke, the 10-year survival rate increases by 42 percent.
Brentwood Communications helps hospitals stay in touch with their community through an informative and cost-effective publication. We make creating and publishing a quality, local community magazine easy and convenient. Click here to read more about heart health and to discover more about how Brentwood Communications specializes in growing non-urban hospitals.
Source: American Stroke Association, American Heart Association, Stroke Awareness Foundation
