LV Dysfunction/Sudden Cardiac Death

Carotid Artery Disease/Stroke

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Carotid Artery Disease/Stroke

Stroke ranks No. 3 among all causes of death, behind heart disease and cancer. It is so prevalent in the United States, that about 700,000 people experience a new or reoccurring Stroke each year. The depressing fact is that 50% of deaths associated with Stroke occur outside of the hospital, which is why screening for Stroke and discussing the risk factors associated with Stroke are of the utmost importance.

More than half of the Strokes that occur may be a direct result of the carotid arteries becoming blocked. The carotid arteries are the main blood vessels to the brain and when these arteries become filled with plaque (called atherosclerosis) the blood flow to the brain becomes severely obstructed, which can result in an individual having a Stroke.

When an individual is suffering from a Stroke the brain cells begin to die and brain damage starts to occur. The functions controlled by that part of the brain are lost, which is why Stroke is the No.1 cause of both adult disability and nursing home admissions in the United States.

Many people falsely believe that Strokes are unpreventable. In reality, 80% of Strokes are highly preventable if the correct interventions are taken. Early detection through an ultrasound screen to check for blockage within the carotid arteries allows for aggressive therapy and treatment to prevent the onset of a dreaded Stroke.

Warning Signs

1. Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg
2. Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
3. Sudden trouble walking, dizziness or loss of balance or coordination
4. Sudden Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
5. Sudden severe headache with no known cause

If you think someone may be experiencing a stroke act F A S T

Face: ask the person to smile and look for one side of the face to droop Arms: ask the person to raise both arms and look for one arm to drift downward Speech: ask the person to repeat a simple sentence and look for slurred speech and accuracy Time: if the person shows any of these signs, time is of importance, so call 911 or get the individual to the hospital as soon as possible

Risk Factors

Individuals who are at risk for stroke are individuals who are or have a history of:

• Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Diabetes
• Smokers
• Overweight
• Inactivity
• Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol
• Using illegal drugs
• Aging
• High cholesterol levels
• Family history of stroke
• Stroke
• Irregular heartbeats, particularly atrial fibrillation
• Severe circulatory problems in other areas
• Leg bypass
• Heart bypass

Call 1-866-523-LIFE (5433) to get more information on Healthy Life Screening.