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May is American Stroke Month
On average, one stroke occurs every 45 seconds in the United States. Every three minutes, someone dies of stroke. Approximately 15-30% of stroke victims are permanently disabled. Lifetime risk for stroke is greater than one in six once a person reaches the age of 55. African Americans have almost twice the risk of having a stroke compared to whites. Overall over 56% of people who have a stroke will die, but for black women the rate goes up to 71.8% and for black men up to 81.7%. Hispanics between the ages of 35-54 have a 1.3 times greater relative risk for stroke than non- Hispanic whites. Unfortunately 40,000 more women than men have strokes each year. Stroke will costs an estimated $56.8 billion in 2005 in medical costs and lost productivity in the work place. Do you know your risk for having a stroke? Which of these statements apply to you? + You are a man over the age of 45, OR a woman over age 55, OR you have gone through menopause or had your ovaries removed and are not taking estrogen. + Your parent, sister, brother or grandparent had a stroke, OR your father or brother had a heart attack before the age of 55, OR your mother or sister had a heart attack before the age of 65. + Your blood pressure is 120/80 or higher, OR a health professional has said your blood pressure is high, OR you do not know what your blood pressure is. + You smoke OR live or work with people who smoke regularly. + You have diabetes, fasting blood glucose of 126 or more OR you need medicine to control your blood glucose level. + Your total cholesterol is over 240, OR you do not know your cholesterol level. + Your HDL cholesterol is under 35, OR you do not know your level. + You do less than 30 minutes of moderately intense physical activity on most days of the week. + You have been told you have carotid artery disease, OR you have had a stroke OR TIA (transient ischemic attack) or mini-stroke, OR you have disease in the arteries in your legs, a high red blood cell count or sickle cell anemia. + You have atrial fibrillation (abnormal heart rhythm), coronary artery disease or other heart conditions, OR you had a heart attack. If you check one or more boxes, you are at risk for having a stroke. Here are some simple steps you can take to avoid having a stroke. Choose at least three to work on starting today to reduce your risk: Know what your blood pressure should be and try to keep it in that range. Regularly check and track your blood pressure. Read food labels and buy foods low in sodium and fat. Know your body mass index and take steps to achieve a healthy weight. Do moderate physical activity like brisk walking at least 30 minutes on most or all days of the week. (Even break it up into three 10-minute segments if necessary.) Stay tobacco free. If you smoke, pick a date and ask your doctor to help you to quit. Limit alcohol to 2 drinks per day if you are a man and one drink per day if you are a woman. (One drink is 12 ounces of light beer OR 1 ounces of distilled liquor OR 5 ounces of wine.) Take medication as prescribed. You and your family can reduce risk for stroke. Ask them to join you in your efforts to remain stroke free. Most lifestyle changes are easier if you work on them together. For more information about blood pressure control, go to americanheart.org.hbp or call 1-800-AHA-USA1.
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