MAY  IS  STROKE  AWARENESS  MONTH

Information below is provided the Good Samaritan Stroke Program.

Stroke is often called the silent killer because it can sneak up on you and then bam!...the warning signs hit.  High blood pressure can some-times forewarn you of the possibility of having a stroke.   Get your blood pressure checked often to catch any changes before it is too late.  The nurses at Bellbrook UMC check blood pressures the second Sunday of every month.

The warning signs of a stroke are:

·        Sudden numbness or weakness of the 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

Call 911 even if the symptoms go away!  Tme lost is brain lost!

What is LDL and HDL?

LDL is low-density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol.  One way to remember what LDL is to call it Lousy Density Lipoprotein.  (LDL)

Where LDL levels should be:

·        Optimal—less than 100 mg/dl

·        Near optimal—100 to 129 mg/dl

·        Above optimal—130 to 159 mg/dl

·        Borderline high—above 160

HDL is high-density lipoprotein (good cholesterol).  One way to remember what HDL is, is to call it Happy Density Lipoprotein 

Good cholesterol is needed to rid your body of bad cholesterol. 

Your levels should be:

·        Men—your levels should be greater than 40 mg/dl

·        Women—your levels should be greater then 50 mg/dl.

What is tissue plasminogen activator (TPA)?     

TPA is a strong clot busting drug.  It has been proven that 1 out of 3 patients who received it will have stroke symptoms completely resolve or dramatically improve.

TPA can only be administered within 3 hours from when the symptoms started.  It is essential to call 911 right away when symptoms start.  Be sure to notify the EMS or paramedics that you think you or the person with the symptoms is having a “stroke”.

Should everyone receive TPA.   Unfortunately the answer is NO.  Persons who cannot be treated within three hours of their first symptoms, patients with certain medical conditions, and patients with certain types of strokes will not qualify for this treatment.  This will be up to the physician who treats the patient to decide if TPA is appropriate.

Eighty percent (80%) of all strokes are preventable by reducing stroke risk factors.  Some ways to modify your risk for a stroke are as follows:

·        Increase physical activity with 30 minutes exercise three to four times a week.

·        Control blood pressure.

·        Diet modification including:

o   Avoiding foods high in fat and cholesterol

o   Try to eat five servings of fruit and vegetables a day.

Everyone needs to take care of their bodies because… “Don’t you know

that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?” (1Corinthians 3:16)   Do nothing to deliberately hurt your body.

Mary Ann Stone, RN, CLM

K8rcj@arrl.net or 470-6949 (cell)