| Not just disease for old men |
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By: DR. JOHN WITT
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Posted: Sunday, May 9, 2010 6:56 am
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May is designated “National Stroke Awareness Month” and it is important to understand the risk of stroke and ways to prevent one.
A stroke occurs when vital blood flow and oxygen to the brain is interrupted. A stroke can injure the brain just as a heart attack can injure the heart.
Many think of stroke as a disease that just affects older men. However, recent studies reveal the surprisingly high risk of stroke for women. Too many American women are unaware of stroke symptoms and the medical attention it requires. Many strokes are preventable, and all strokes are treatable when medical attention is sought immediately.
“We encourage all women to learn the elements of a healthy lifestyle at a young age, and to be particularly aware of their individual risk factors as they get older,” said Dr. John Witt, neurologist and medical director of Middle Tennessee Medical Center’s Stroke Program. Some risk factors that can be controlled to reduce risks of stroke include: smoking, high blood pressure, high alcohol consumption, lack of exercise and high cholesterol.
Each year, nearly 375,000 women suffer from stroke. Stroke kills more women than the number of people who die from breast cancer and AIDS combined. Two million brain cells die every minute during a stroke. As a result, victims often lose control of certain brain functions and sometimes even suffer permanent brain damage.
“We encourage regular exercise to help reduce the risks of stroke and heart disease in women,” Witt said. “However, it is important to remember that many factors combine to raise or lower a person’s risk. Exercise, healthy food choices and avoidance of smoking or excessive alcohol are clearly part of a lifelong strategy to reduce the chances of having a stroke.”
Moderate physical activity and a healthy diet are effective ways to reduce risks of stroke. The average American consumes about 156 pounds of added sugar each year. A recent study from the American Medical Association shows a significant correlation between dietary added sugars and an increased risk for stroke.
A study published in the American Heart Association journal Stroke suggests that women who walk two hours weekly have a 30 percent decreased risk of stroke. Women who walk briskly have a 37 percent lower risk of stroke than those who don’t walk at all.
“These studies on the risk of stroke help to show that even simple exercise can help to reduce your risk. Walking is something that almost everyone can do; it requires little cost and time is up to you,” MTMC Nurse and Stroke Coordinator Sylvia McLaughlin said.
MTMC is holding two events during National Stroke Awareness Month. During the 4 p.m. Saturday, May 15 MTSU baseball game, MTMC and MTSU will celebrate “Strike Out Stroke” honoring stroke survivors and promoting stroke education. Stroke survivors can receive free tickets by calling 396-4959.
A Stroke Care Health Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, May 17 in the MTMC Bell St. Building Atrium located at 503 E. Bell Street. The health fair is open to the public and will include information on stroke, along with free screenings, informational presentations by physicians, heart-healthy snacks, door prizes and giveaways.
MTMC has been a Joint Commission Certified Primary Stroke Center since 2007.
The Stroke Program at MTMC was recognized in the July 2009 US News & World Report after receiving the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association’s Get with the Guidelines Stroke Gold Achievement Award. |
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