1. Explaining Stroke
www.viachristi.org/stroke
www.viachristi.org/survivestroke

2. Objectives
 Definition of a stroke
 Act F.A.S.T.by recognizing &
responding to the signs of stroke.
 Treatment for stroke
 Primary and secondary stroke
prevention
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3. Stroke Facts
 3rd leading cause of death in the U.S.
 4th leading cause of death in Kansas
 One stroke occurs every 40 seconds
 Leading cause of disability in the U.S
 80% of stroke are preventable by reducing
your risk.
 Anyone can have a stroke
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4. Women & Stroke Facts
 Kills twice as many women every year than
breast cancer.
 More women than men die from stroke
 Women suffer greater disability than men
after a stroke
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5. Even Celebrities have strokes
 Leonardo di Vinci  Gene Kelly
 Johann Sebastian Bach  Kirk Douglas
 Charles Dickens  Zsa Zsa Gabor
 Groucho Marx  Barry White
 Al Capone  Luther Vandross
 Grace Kelly  Sharon Stone
 Betty Davis  Bret Michaels
 Lucille Ball  Teddy Bruschi
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6. What is a stroke?
 A stroke occurs when the blood flow to
part of the brain suddenly stops due to
a blocked or burst blood vessel.
 When the blood stops, oxygen cannot
circulate to that area of the brain and
may cause part of the brain to die.
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7. Types of Stroke - Ischemic
Blockage in an artery
1. Embolic
♦ Blood clot or plaque forms
in the body and travels
through the blood stream
to the brain.
2. Thrombotic
♦ Fatty deposits develop in
the lining of the blood
vessel wall which narrows
the blood vessel.
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8. Types of Stroke - Hemorrhagic
Weakened blood vessel breaks & bleeding occurs in the brain.
1. Intracerebral Hemorrhage
♦ Burst blood vessel bleeds
into the brain, causing brain
cell to die.
2. Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
♦ Blood vessel bursts near the
surface of the brain causing
blood to pour into the area
around the outside of the
brain. Bleeding causes
pressure and leads to injured
brain cells. (Usually a result
8 of an aneurysm)

9. Transient Ischemic Attach (TIA)
 “Mini stroke”
 Just like a stroke, only it lasts for a very
short time (minutes to hours)
 Leaves no permanent damage
 Warning sign of a future stroke
♦ Up to 40% will have a future stroke
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10. Stroke Symptoms – “Suddens”
Any sudden:
 Numbness of the face, arm, or leg
 Confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
 Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
 Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or
coordination
 Severe headache
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11. Act F.A.S.T.
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12. Treatments – Ischemic Stroke (clot)
Clot busting medication (tPA)
 Should be given within
3-4.5 hours of the time they
were last known well
without symptoms.
Time Lost is Brain Lost
Every minute 2 million brain cells die.
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13. Treatments – Ischemic Stroke (clot)
Clot Removal Devices
Before After
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14. Treatments – Hemorrhagic Stroke
Clipping Coiling
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15. Controllable Risk Factors
 High blood pressure  High blood cholesterol
♦ #1 cause of stroke ♦ Increases risk of clogged
♦ > 140/90 is too high arteries
 Tobacco use ♦ > 240 is too high
♦ Nicotine and carbon monoxide  Physical inactivity & obesity
damages blood vessels ♦ Increases risk of cardiovascular
♦ Doubles risk for stroke disease
 Diabetes  Atrial fibrillation & heart
♦ Leads to disease of blood disease
vessels in the brain. ♦ Irregular heart beats and
 Alcohol incomplete emptying of the
heart can allow blood to pool
♦ Raises blood pressure and clot.
♦ Limit to one/day
♦ Binge drinking can lead to
stroke
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16. Uncontrollable Risk Factors …
 Age  Autoimmune Disorders –
♦ Risk doubles every decade after ♦ (such as Lupus) increase the risk
the age of 55 (although can of stroke.
happen to anyone)
 Race  Clotting Disorders –
♦ African American twice the risk ♦ (such as: thrombophilia, Protiein C
compared to Caucasians. deficiency, Factor V Leiden,
Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS),
♦ Hispanic and Asian higher risk etc.)
than Caucasians.
 Previous stroke or TIA
 Family History –
♦ Your risk of stroke is higher if
your parent, grandparent, sister,
16 or brother has had a stroke

17. Uncontrollable Risk Factors Cont.
 Hole in the heart (PFO)
♦ Patent Foramen Ovale
♦ 1 in 5 have
♦ All people are born with flap-like openings in their hearts and the opening
usually closes by itself shortly after birth. In some people, an open flap remains
in the heart.
♦ This opening can allow a blood clot to travel through the flap and to the brain,
causing a stroke.
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18. Closing
 Know your risk factors (>80% of strokes
are preventable)
 Know the signs of stroke
 Dial 911
www.viachristi.org/stroke
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19. Via Christi Stroke Trends by Age
% Increase Total Strokes 2007-2011 by Age
6.0%
4.0%
2.0%
5.1%
3.0% 4.3%
0.0%
5-14 15-34
-2.0% 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75-84 85-94
-4.0% 95 >
-6.0%
-8.5%
-8.0%
-10.0%
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20. Via Christi Stroke Trends
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21. Bibliography
stroke.org
heart.org
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