February 26, 2008 Hello! Strokes are often thought of as something that affects those who are in their 60s, 70s, or 80s, but people of every age range can suffer strokes, and the rates among women in their 30s - 50s are on the rise.
" 'Women ages 35 to 54 have higher stroke rates than men of
those ages, and this is likely due to increasing rates of
abdominal obesity,' says researcher Amytis Towfighi, MD, an
assistant professor of neurology at the University of
Southern California in Los Angeles. The study does not
prove cause-and-effect. But the researchers found that
traditional risk factors for stroke, such as smoking and
high blood pressure, are not increasing among middle-aged
women. That gives weight to their hefty hypothesis, says
Ralph Sacco, MD." The hypothesis is that with increased weight is coming an increased risk of stroke. Doctors are observing that as waist sizes and Body Mass Index (BMI) numbers rise, so is the stroke rate among women who are younger and younger. Why is this a concern? While most people have heard of a stroke, or may even know someone who has had one, not everyone understands what it is.
"A stroke, or 'brain attack,' occurs when blood circulation
to the brain fails. Brain cells can die from decreased
blood flow and the resulting lack of oxygen. There are two
broad categories of stroke: those caused by a blockage of
blood flow and those caused by bleeding. While not usually
fatal, a blockage of a blood vessel in the brain or neck,
called an ischemic stroke, is the most frequent cause of
stroke and is responsible for about 80 percent of strokes." Teens and young adults may not be concerned about their stroke risk right now, but there are lifestyle choices that people of all ages can make to reduce their risk. Whether someone is in their teens, thirties, or sixties, it is important that they talk with their doctor about any risk factors and/or lifestyle changes that should be made.
"All people can take steps to lower their risk for stroke,
whether they have had a stroke or not. Things you can do to
lower the risk of stroke include steps to prevent and
control high blood pressure, heart disease, and other
chronic conditions.
While prevention is key, not all strokes will be prevented. When a stroke does occur, it is essential that those around know what the signs of a stroke are so that they can get medical attention as soon as possible.
"Someone affected by stroke might have difficulty speaking,
lose the ability to lift their arms or walk, have
difficulty seeing in one or both eyes, experience numbness
or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, and can quickly lose
consciousness. Quick action and medical attention can
minimize permanent brain damage and potentially save
someones life." The signs of someone having a stroke can range from subtle to obvious, but the person having the stroke can be completely unaware that anything is wrong. Whether minor or severe, every minute counts. The sooner a patient receives treatment for a stroke, the more likely they are to reduce the amount of long-term damage that it is allowed to do.
"Stroke is a medical emergency. Every minute counts when
someone is having a stroke. The longer blood flow is cut
off to the brain, the greater the damage. Immediate
treatment can save people's lives and enhance their chances
for successful recovery. ... Ischemic strokes, the most
common type of strokes, can be treated with a drug called
t-PA, that dissolves blood clots obstructing blood flow to
the brain. The window of opportunity to start treating
stroke patients is three hours, but to be evaluated and
receive treatment, patients need to get to the hospital
within 60 minutes. ... A five-year study by the National
Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
found that some stroke patients who received t-PA within
three hours of the start of stroke symptoms were at least
30 percent more likely to recover with little or no
disability after three months."
Questions of the Week: Please email me with any ideas or suggestions. I look forward to reading what you have to say. Cindy |
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