Health
| Recognition is the key |
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| Written by Women's Health, 2009 | |
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A national strategy for the care of stroke patients has been formulated but we must do our part by learning to recognise the symptoms of a stroke. In 2000 the WI AGM passed a resolution urging the government to greatly improve the treatment and therapies available to stroke sufferers to achieve a far higher national standard of care. It is almost nine years since then - so has the situation improved? According to The Stroke Association, the short answer to that is 'yes', however the improvement has taken some time, with most of the improvement taking place in the past three years, culminating in the National Stroke Strategy, which came out a year ago. This strategy was developed by six expert project groups, comprised of representatives from the wide range of professionals who support people with stroke, people who have had a stroke, carers and voluntary organisations such as the WI. t was further informed and refined through a formal consultation exercise, which generated over 1,000 responses. The analysis of these was published alongside this strategy. Now a framework is in place that should improve the quality of stroke prevention, treatment, care and support over the next decade. Risk factors for strokeImprove your dietDid you know that a poor diet is a major risk factor for a stroke? Foods high in fats can lead to the build-up of fatty plaques in your arteries, and being overweight can lead to high blood pressure. A low-fat, high-fibre diet is recommended, including plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables (five portions a day) and whole grains (see our low-fat cookery feature on page 88). You should limit the amount of salt that you eat to no more than 6g (about a teaspoonful) a day because too much salt will increase your blood pressure. You should avoid food containing saturated fats because these will increase your cholesterol levels. However, a balanced diet should include a small amount of unsaturated fat, which will actually help reduce your cholesterol levels. Do more exercise Combining a healthy diet with regular exercise is the best way to maintain a healthy weight. Regular exercise will make your heart and blood circulatory system more efficient, it will lower your cholesterol level, and also keep your blood pressure at a healthy level. The recommended level of cholesterol is 5 millimoles per litre of blood (5mmol/litre). A millimole is a unit of measurement that is used by chemists and biologists to measure extremely small amounts. Blood pressure is measured using two figures. One figure represents the pressure of the heart as it contracts to pump blood around the body. This is known as the systolic pressure. The second figure represents the pressure of the heart as it expands and fills with blood, while waiting for the next contraction. This is known as the diastolic pressure. For most people, a healthy blood pressure is a systolic pressure of between 90-120mm of mercury (mmHG), and a diastolic pressure of between 60-80mmHG. Or, as blood pressure is normally expressed, a level between 90/60mmHG and 120/80mmHG. For most people, 30 minutes of vigorous exercise a day, at least five times a week, is recommended. The exercise should be strenuous enough to leave your heart beating faster, and you should feel slightly out of breath. Examples of vigorous exercise are going for a brisk walk or walking up a hill. If you are recovering from a stroke, you should discuss possible exercise plans with the members of your rehabilitation team. Regular exercise may be impossible in the first weeks, or months, following a stroke, but you should be able to begin exercising once your rehabilitation has progressed. No smoking! Smoking is a major risk factor for strokes because it raises your blood pressure and can cause a build-up of fatty plaques in your arteries. The NHS Smoking Helpline can offer you advice and encouragement to help you quit smoking. You can call on 0800 022 4 332, or visit the NHS Smokefree website (http://smokefree.nhs.uk). Reduce the alcohol Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to high blood pressure and an irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation). Both are major risk factors for stroke. The recommended daily levels of alcohol consumption are 3-4 units of alcohol for men, and 2-3 units for women. A unit of alcohol is equal to about half a pint of normal strength lager, a small glass of wine or a pub measure (25ml) of spirits. What you should know about stroke
Brain scans reveal the damageAccording to the World Health Organization, every year 15 million people worldwide suffer a stroke. Five million die and another five million are left permanently disabled. Globally, stroke is the second leading cause of death above the age of 60 years, and the fifth leading cause of death in people aged 15-59.One type of stroke affects the large medial cerebral artery (MCA), which is the largest cerebrovascular artery. In the CT image (right/left/below), damage from the stroke can be seen on the left side of the patient's brain. Also illustrated right/left/below is an example of a CT scan of a normal, non-stroke brain. Common symptoms experienced during an MCA stroke, such as the one depicted in the CT image, may include paralysis or weakening and reduced sensitivity on the right side of the patient's body, and loss of vision in the right visual field of both eyes. The patient's ability to speak would likely be impaired. The patient may have right-left confusion, a loss of the ability to distinguish the fingers on the hand, and a reduced ability to write or comprehend numbers. Lastly, changes in the sensation of touch, pain or temperature may occur. Act F-A-S-TIf you suspect that someone is having a stroke, act FAST. The signs of a stroke are: facial weakness, arm or leg weakness, speech problems and loss to half of the visual field. These signs may only last a few hours, called a Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA), but must not be ignored.What is FAST? FAST requires an assessment of three specific symptoms of stroke:
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