Heart Attack. Most people understand these two terrifying words, but what about these two words: Brain Attack.
Just like a heart attack causes the heart to stop, a brain attack causes a malfunction in the brain. More commonly referred to as a stroke, brain attacks literally cut off the blood flow and oxygen to the brain leaving many people permanently paralyzed and others dead.
The biggest shock about brain attacks is that they are not just a senior citizen malady. In fact, a recent report by the National Stroke Association showed a sharp rise in incidence rates of people ages 15 to 44 who were hospitalized because of a stroke.
I recently sat down with stroke survivor Mike Zeller of Cochranton who suffered his stroke during his early 40s. At the time of that stroke, back in 2006, doctors predicted he would live only 24 more hours. Six years later, Zeller and his wife Kathy are strong advocates for stroke prevention, support, and awareness. While he walks with a cane and has permanent left-side paralysis, Mike displays a genuine positive attitude toward life. His mission today is to spread awareness among the community about the danger signs of stroke.
“People don’t think it can happen to them,” Zeller said, indicating he was once one of those people. Since his miraculous recovery, Zeller has joined the Different Strokes Stroke Support Group for which he has developed a brochure that talk about brain attacks. The group is planning their first Stroke Awareness Walk for Fitness scheduled for May 1st on the Ernst Trail. The walk will be held at noon to 1 p.m. and is free to the public. Refreshments will be available along with stroke information.
“We planned this over the lunch hour so that those who wish to come out and walk can do so, and enjoy some refreshments and learn a little more about the danger signs of stroke,” Zeller commented.
According to the National Stroke Association, nearly 800,000 strokes occur annually, one about every 40 seconds. There may actually be more cases of stroke because some people who suffer the symptoms often don’t really know they are having a stroke. In many cases, the stroke will start off feeling like a very bad headache or migraine. If this happened to be a stroke, that person only has a three-hour window to get treatment before permanent damage ensues.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention along with the American Heart Association suggests that people need to act F.A.S.T. in order to prevent serious damage or death. The F stands for Face: check to see if there is an uneven smile or a facial droop. This is strong sign that a stroke is occurring. The A stands for Arms: check for weakness or numbness in the arms. The S refers to Speech: slurred speech or difficulty speaking or understanding are key signs of stroke. The T refers to Time, indicating the urgency of calling for help.
Zeller strongly recommends that people call for an ambulance rather than attempt to transport themselves to the emergency room. The ambulance crew can call ahead to the emergency room, who can then prepare for the stroke victim. According to Denise Johnson, Chief Medical Officer at Meadville Medical Center, “We have very specific stroke protocols and a neurologist on call 24-7.”
Stroke risk can be significantly reduced by employing overall healthy habits. Controlling high blood pressure and high cholesterol can sharply reduce your chances of stroke. Other risk factors include smoking, heavy alcohol use, physical inactivity, and obesity. By practicing healthy habits and eliminating unhealthy behaviors, your chances of suffering a stroke can shrink.
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