Stroke

My husband, Paul Berger, suffered a stroke over 25 years ago at the age of 36, when he was at the gym exercising.  He had the worst headache ever, and was suffering from extreme dizziness. He asked the attendant at the desk for an aspirin.  Fortunately, they called an ambulance.  If he had been at home, I would not have recognized the symptoms, and probably would have killed him by giving him a dose of aspirin.  He was experiencing a ruptured aneurysm, blood gushing out of a hole in a large blood vessel leading to his brain.  The aspirin would have hastened the bleeding.

Stroke is the 4^th leading cause of death, and a leading cause of disability among adults.  According to the American Stroke Association, about 795,000 Americans suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year, stroke kills more than 128,000 people a year, and more than $38 billion is spent each year on stroke-related medical costs and disability.

Strokes occur among people of all ages, and among otherwise healthy-looking women and men.  Eighty percent of strokes are caused by clots in blood vessels in the brain blocking the flow of oxygen and nutrients to brain cells; 20 percent are caused by ruptured vessels killing brain cells with a flood of lethal blood.

When Paul had his stroke, even state-of-the-art care couldn’t locate the rupture and while we waited a week in the hospital to repeat the tests, he had a second bleeding episode, leaving him severely disabled.  Today, thanks to advances in imaging and interventional neuroradiology, there’s a much better track record in finding and treating ruptured aneurysms.

For the 80 percent suffering clot-induced strokes, getting to the hospital immediately will allow time to diagnose and begin treatment using clot-busting drugs.  Unfortunately, there’s a small window of time for this treatment, about 3 to 4 hours from the first sign of stroke.  The sooner the person having the stroke gets to the hospital, the sooner appropriate treatment can begin.

Since the person suffering the stroke often cannot act to call 9-1-1, everyone should learn the warning signs, and to act quickly.  It is much better to call an ambulance immediately than to wait to see if the symptoms go away.  This means that spouses, co-workers, friends, children and grandchildren need to learn the signs and how to act immediately, even if the person having the stroke seems resistant.

An easy way to remember the symptoms of stroke is “F.A.S.T.” for:

• F:  Face Drooping.  Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile.
• A:  Arm Weakness.  Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
• S:  Speech Difficulty.  Is speech slurred, are they unable to speak, or are they hard to understand?  Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like “the sky is blue.”  Is the sentence repeated correctly?
• T:  Time to call 9-1-1. If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get them to the hospital immediately.

The American Stroke Association, part of the American Heart Association, and the National Stroke Association have many helpful tools for educating yourself and others about stroke.  Learn about it today.  If it could happen to my otherwise healthy husband, then it could happen to you, or to your loved ones.

Ask Your Representative to Support Stroke Awareness Today!

**Blog content provided by You’re the Cure Virigina member, Stephanie Mensh.**

You're the Cure advocates spoke, and NC legislators listened! They passed SB 456 unanimously, and it's been signed into law by the Governor. SB 456 will help make fast, quality treatment available to those in our state who suffer a stroke. by designating qualified facilities as Primary Stroke Centers.

Send a big thank you for this significant advancement!

The rapid identification, diagnosis, and treatment of stroke can save the life of a stroke patient. In some cases reverse neurological damage such as speech and language impairment and paralysis, leaving stroke patients with few or minimal neurological deficits. The AHA considers primary stroke centers as the cornerstone of the state's stroke systems of care. This legislation ensures that primary stroke centers in NC are those facilities that have national primary stroke center accreditation (Joint Commission or equivalent) and that this information will be made known to the public and EMS statewide.

All North Carolinians should be able to access the high quality stroke care offered by Primary Stroke Centers, and should know which hospitals have been certified. Passage of this bill will change the outcome of stroke for many of our citizens.

Click here to send your customizable thank you letter now.

Many thanks to all of our advocates who worked tirelessly to help get this passed—we couldn’t have done the work without you!

The Senate will start debating their budget and we are asking for their support for critical funding for key prevention programs. We knew it was going to be a tough budget year we feel that it is still important for the Legislature to make investments in public health and access to care. We are asking for support for our priorities:  

• Amendment #699 from Senator Rush to increase the funding Department of Public Health Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program funding.
• Amendment #13 from Senator Chandler to minimum packaging requirement for cheap, kid-friendly cigars
• Amendment #595 from Senator Montigny to ensure that stroke patients have access to the highest quality of care
• Amendment #714 from Senator Richard Moore to create an AED Trust Fund to ensure that funds are available to schools, senior centers and other high risk places in the community. 
• Amendment #634 from Senator Joyce to create the FMAP Trust Fund to receive enhanced federal Medicaid matching revenues and its funds dedicated to support Medicaid low-income programs.
• Amendment #546 from Senator Jehlen to invest in MassHealth operations and systems improvements to ensure access to care for low-income residents.

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in Massachusetts -- more than 8,000 of our residents lose their lives to tobacco each year while hundreds of thousands more suffer from its health consequences.  Tobacco-related health care expenses annually costs Massachusetts $4.3 billion – 10% of all our health care costs. The DPH tobacco control program is underfunded.  Next year the State will receive $1 Billion from tobacco related revenue. We need to fund the prevention and cessation program to help people kick this deadly habit and to prevent kids from starting to smoke. We need to protect our kids and not Big Tobacco. There are many products that look like candy, smell like candy, and are cheaper than candy but they are in fact deadly. According to the Department of Public Health, high school students in Massachusetts are now using these cheap cigars more cigarettes. We need to require minimum packaging for cheap, kid-friendly cigars.

Stroke is the nation's No. 3 killer and a leading cause of long-term disability and every year, about 700,000 Americans suffer a stroke, and 160,000 of them die. On average, every 45 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke and someone dies of a stroke every 3 to 4 minutes. Today, 5.7 million Americans are stroke survivors, and as many as 30 percent of them are permanently disabled, requiring extensive and costly care. Death and disability from stroke are projected to nearly double by 2032. The development of stroke systems of care, including the establishment of a primary stroke center, can significantly increase the proportion of patients who receive improved stroke care. Quick and attentive care of a stroke victim is the key to determining the quality of the rest of their life.

Immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and early defibrillation, with an automated external defibrillator (AED), can more than double a victim’s chance of survival. In fact, early defibrillation, along with CPR, is the only way to restore the SCA victim’s heart rhythm to normal. We need to ensure that our communities have comprehensive AED programs that so that we can achieve high survival rates.

We believe these initiatives will provide for a healthier citizenry in Massachusetts and will save health care dollars and

It has been a busy legislative session and intensity is building with each passing day.  Last week we held our breath tight while we fought to keep our smoke-free law strong and we let out a sigh of relief when SB 703 didn’t make the crossover deadline.  That said we have to remain vigilant that nothing else comes up that could weaken our smoke-free law.   

Last night the Senate released their budget.  Included was $1.4 Million in recurring funds for QuitlineNC, however there doesn’t appear to be any money for teen tobacco control prevention programs.  We are continuing to review the budget documents carefully for other AHA priority items.  You can access the Senate budget proposals at these links:  budget bill and associated money report. 

Legislative Priority Review:

Pulse Oximetry:  On May 8th, Governor McCrory signed SB 98: Require Pulse Oximetry Newborn Screening into law.  Now in our state, all newborns will have a critical congenital heart defect screening prior to being sent home from the hospital or birthing center.  The legislation passed unanimously and a big thank you goes out to our You're the Cure NC advocates who sent numerous emails and make phone calls to support this issue.  Our bill sponsors were:  Senators Andrew Brock (R-Davie), Louis Pate  (R-Wayne), Josh Stein (D-Wake) and Representatives Jim Fulghum (R-Wake), Mark Hollo (R-Alexander), Paul Stam (R-Wake) and Craig Horn (R-Union). 

Tell your lawmakers Thank You for helping SB 98 get signed into law!

Primary Stroke Center Designation:  On May 8th, Governor McCrory signed SB 456: Designate Primary Stroke Centers into law.  This legislation ensures that primary stroke centers in NC are those facilities that have national primary stroke center accreditation (Joint Commission or equivalent) and that this information will be made known to the public and EMS statewide.  The AHA considers primary stroke centers as the cornerstone of the state's stroke systems of care.  Our bill sponsors were:  Senators Louis Pate (R-Wayne), Trudy Wade (R- Guilford), and Stan Bingham (R-Davidson) and on the House Side:  Representatives Jim Fulghum (R-Wake), Mark Hollo (R-Alexander), Becky Carney (D-Mecklenburg), and Debra Conrad (R-Forsyth).

Tell your lawmakers Thank You for helping SB 456 get signed into law!

Tobacco Control Program Funding:  In the Governor's budget $1 Million of recurring funding was included, but this is a 94% cut in this funding from where we were in 2011 when the state provided $17.3 Million for these important programs.  It is important to note that each year NC receives Master Settlement Agreement funds that can and should be used for these programs.

Smoke-free NC:  Just this week, health advocates across the state banded together to stop SB 703 introduced by Senator Buck Newton (R-Nash).  This legislation would have limited the regulation of outdoor smoke-free policies in the state, including on our community college campuses.  The legislation would have repealed numerous local ordinances that have passed including the smoke-free ordinance at Wrightsville Beach which was on the November ballot there approved by the citizen voters of the beach community.  It would have also reversed over 50 community college smoke-free/tobacco-free ordinances. 

Funding Stroke Advisory Council and Stroke Community Education:  In partnership with the Justus Warren Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Task Force, we are advocating for $50,000/annual funding for the Stroke Advisory Council and $400,000 for stroke community education.  These sometimes appear in the special provisions of the budget, so we will be watching closely.

Please stay tuned to this blog and your email for more information! 

With Heart,

Betsy

This week, we’re celebrating those who make sure people having a stroke get the care they need as quickly as possible – EMS professionals. Every day the AHA works to ensure all citizens get appropriate care when suffering from a stroke. This starts with quick action emergency responders.  Having the right protocols in place can reduce death and disability from stroke. With policy, this involves working with government officials to be sure that exemplary stroke legislation and guidelines are put into place.

Over the years, we have worked to create and enhance stroke systems of care, which provide patients seamless transition from one stage of care to the next with the highest quality at each step. Many states have implemented quality stroke policy, such as primary stroke center recognition, EMS protocols and stroke registries.

To learn more about current efforts and to show your legislators that heart health issues are important to you, please visit our Take Action center to send your supportive message today and encourage others to send a message through Facebook.

This week, we’re celebrating those who make sure people having a stroke get the care they need as quickly as possible – EMS professionals. Every day the AHA works to ensure all citizens get appropriate care when suffering from a stroke. This starts with quick action emergency responders.  Having the right protocols in place can reduce death and disability from stroke. With policy, this involves working with government officials to be sure that exemplary stroke legislation and guidelines are put into place.

Over the years, we have worked to create and enhance stroke systems of care, which provide patients seamless transition from one stage of care to the next with the highest quality at each step. Many states have implemented quality stroke policy, such as primary stroke center recognition, EMS protocols and stroke registries.

To learn more about current efforts and to show your legislators that heart health issues are important to you, please visit our Take Action center to send your supportive message today and encourage others to send a message through Facebook.

This week, we’re celebrating those who make sure people having a stroke get the care they need as quickly as possible – EMS professionals. Every day the AHA works to ensure all citizens get appropriate care when suffering from a stroke. This starts with quick action emergency responders.  Having the right protocols in place can reduce death and disability from stroke. With policy, this involves working with government officials to be sure that exemplary stroke legislation and guidelines are put into place.

Over the years, we have worked to create and enhance stroke systems of care, which provide patients seamless transition from one stage of care to the next with the highest quality at each step. Many states have implemented quality stroke policy, such as primary stroke center recognition, EMS protocols and stroke registries.

To learn more about current efforts and to show your legislators that heart health issues are important to you, please visit our Take Action center to send your supportive message today and encourage others to send a message through Facebook.

This week, we’re celebrating those who make sure people having a stroke get the care they need as quickly as possible – EMS professionals. Every day the AHA works to ensure all citizens get appropriate care when suffering from a stroke. This starts with quick action emergency responders.  Having the right protocols in place can reduce death and disability from stroke. With policy, this involves working with government officials to be sure that exemplary stroke legislation and guidelines are put into place.

Over the years, we have worked to create and enhance stroke systems of care, which provide patients seamless transition from one stage of care to the next with the highest quality at each step. Many states have implemented quality stroke policy, such as primary stroke center recognition, EMS protocols and stroke registries.

To learn more about current efforts and to show your legislators that heart health issues are important to you, please visit our Take Action center to send your supportive message today and encourage others to send a message through Facebook.

This week, we’re celebrating those who make sure people having a stroke get the care they need as quickly as possible – EMS professionals. Every day the AHA works to ensure all citizens get appropriate care when suffering from a stroke. This starts with quick action emergency responders.  Having the right protocols in place can reduce death and disability from stroke. With policy, this involves working with government officials to be sure that exemplary stroke legislation and guidelines are put into place.

Over the years, we have worked to create and enhance stroke systems of care, which provide patients seamless transition from one stage of care to the next with the highest quality at each step. Many states have implemented quality stroke policy, such as primary stroke center recognition, EMS protocols and stroke registries.

To learn more about current efforts and to show your legislators that heart health issues are important to you, please visit our Take Action center to send your supportive message today and encourage others to send a message through Facebook.

Did you know that more than half of total stroke deaths occur in women? And, that at all ages, more women than men die of stroke?

If you are like most women, chances are you go to great lengths to take care of others and not burden friends and family with your health concerns.  By knowing the signs and symptoms of a stroke, you could save a life – maybe even yours. 

Signs and Symptoms of a Stroke
1. Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
2. Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
3. Sudden trouble seeing or blurred vision in one or both eyes
4. Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
5. Sudden severe headache with no known cause

If you, or someone you love, experiences even one of these, quick action is needed.  Within five minutes, call 9-1-1.  With stroke, time is of the essence.  Time lost = brain lose. 

To learn more about current efforts and to show your legislators that these health issues are important to you, please visit our Take Action center to send your supportive message today and encourage others to send a message through Facebook