Surviving Stroke - Part 3

As we told you in Part 1 of this series, "Know Your Risks,” stroke can happen to anyone. There’s a common misconception that a stroke is something that only strikes senior citizens or those with multiple risk factors. The fact is that a stroke can affect people regardless of age.

That fact notwithstanding, your chances of surviving and recovering from a stroke are much higher if you know the signs in advance and have a plan of action should you spot them happening to you or a loved one.

Your odds of surviving stroke have improved in recent years.

Of the 800,000 Americans who suffer strokes annually, 130,000 will die. The good news is that most survive. Another piece of good news is that the number of stroke deaths has declined by almost 20 percent since 1997.

Historically, stroke has been the third leading cause of death in the United States. However, based on preliminary data from the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), cerebrovascular disease may now rank fourth among all causes of death after diseases of the heart, cancer and chronic lower respiratory system.

Stroke incidence is also declining over time. Over the last 30 years, the lifetime risk of stroke by those 65 years of age decreased from approximately 20 percent to 15 percent.

Knowing the signs of stroke makes earlier treatment possible.

One the many factors contributing to the overall improvement in survival rates are increased awareness on the part of more people about the early signs of stroke.

When a person has a stroke, seconds count, so it’s important not only to be aware of the signs, but also make sure people around you know them too, especially if you have stroke risk factors.

If you suffer a stroke, it may be up to them to recognize the signs and act quickly to get help.

One of the easiest ways to remember the signs of stroke is to use this acronym:

S -- speech or problems with language

T -- tingling or numbness in your body

R -- remember or any problems with memory

O -- off balance or any problems with coordination

K -- killer headache

E -- eyes or any problem with vision

(You may want to print a copy of this list on a card and carry it around with you, or post it visibly at home or in your workplace.)

Sometimes, when a stroke hits, two of the first things affected are your memory or ability to speak. You can use such a card to point to your symptoms, thereby making a caregiver, co-worker or loved one aware of what’s going on.

It’s unlikely you’ll experience all five symptoms at once, but if you even have one get help as quickly as possible. Again, seconds count.

If you have one or more risk factors for stroke, create a plan so you can get help when you need it whether you are with people who know you well, or alone, at home, or out and about.

Plan ahead, for yourself, and your loved ones’ sake.

No one wants to plan for something as scary as a stroke. It’s understandably tempting to push the entire topic to the back of your mind, even if you have made time to learn about your risks, taken steps to manage them and memorized the signs.

Think of stroke like the umbrella you take with you in hopes it won’t rain and create a plan of action in the event you do someday suffer a stroke.

The worst case is that you’ll need it, but you and your loved ones will be ready to get help faster, choose treatment options and arrange for rehabilitative or ongoing care knowing your wishes in advance.

You’ll need to think about:

· How will you get help if you can’t communicate or move?

· Who will care for you if you can’t care for yourself?

· How much intervention or life-sustaining treatment would you want?

· Is there a palliative stroke care center near you?

· Do you have a living will?

As scary as it can be to contemplate any of these questions, the time you spend now thinking about them will give you and your loved ones peace of mind.

As bad as stroke is for its victims, it can be devastating in different ways for their family and friends. Knowing what you would want, especially if you can no longer communicate those wishes, reassures them that they are truly helping and not just making decisions for you based on conjecture alone.

The best thing you can do is assess your risk, do your best to manage it, know the signs and symptoms and take the time to plan for the worst. Doing so will not only increase your odds of survival, but ensure the best outcome for you and everyone who cares for and about you.