Stroke

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Are You At Risk?

For:Stroke

Tests for a stroke are essential because of their volatile nature. Four out of five stroke victims have carotid artery disease and have no apparent symptoms or warning signs for having a stroke. Stroke is the number one cause of long-term disability in adults. A stroke, also known as a "brain attack," is caused by a disruption in the flow of blood to an area of the brain. Strokes may be caused by either a clot or a burst blood vessel, but either one can cause brain cells to die and create permanent brain damage. Screening for stroke symptoms can help prevent permanent damage. The exact damage caused depends on the area of the brain that is harmed, but can include vital functions like memory, speech, and movement. The best way to prevent brain injury from a stroke is to have frequent tests that monitor the health of your brain, and checking for possible risk factors that might indicate future problems.

Stroke has a disproportionate effect on women. Women account for approximately 50% of the strokes that occur each year, yet they account for 61% of stroke deaths. The explanation may be that stroke risk increases with age and women generally live longer than men. In addition, women on average may be older than men at the time of a stroke. Learn about the health risk factors for strokes and carotid artery disease and ways to prevent stroke. As one ages, it is crucial to perform health screenings.

Learn more about how to prepare for your stroke screening today – even the most comprehensive exam takes less than an hour.

Here are some of the facts concerning stroke:

Every 45 seconds someone has a stroke. Every 3 minutes someone dies of stroke.

Stroke affects over 800,000 Americans every year. About 610,000 of these are first strokes. About 200,000 occur in people who have already had a stroke. Over 160,000 Americans die from stroke each year.

Stroke affects over 800,000 Americans every year. About 610,000 of these are first strokes. About 200,000 occur in people who have already had a stroke. Over 160,000 Americans die from stroke each year.

Strokes can - and do - occur at any age.

Stroke is the #1 cause of adult disability in the U.S.

Stroke is the 4th leading cause of death in the U.S. behind heart disease and cancer.

80% of strokes are preventable through lifestyle modification, control of risk factors and basic medical care.

Death and disability can be reduced by 30% if the signs of stroke are promptly recognized and patients are immediately transported to a Primary Stroke Center.

High blood pressure is the #1 risk factor.

Southeastern U.S. has the highest stroke mortality rate.

There are more than 6 million stroke survivors living today in the U.S. and two-thirds of them are disabled.

Nearly 75% of all strokes occur in people over the age of 65. Nearly 25% occur in people under the age of 65.

The risk of stroke more than doubles each decade after the age of 55.

Stroke death rates are higher in African American than for whites, even at younger ages.

One third of all stroke survivors are diagnosed with Aphasia (difficulty speaking or comprehending language).

Over 1 million Americans currently have Aphasia, more than those of Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis/MS, Muscular Dystrophy, or Cerebral Palsy.

Stroke disrupts every aspect of meaningful life and is very difficult for families, as family members assume added roles and responsibilities in addition to coping with the illness of a loved one.

Statistics do not convey the personal distress of those who live with the consequences of stroke.

What are the Warning Signs of Stroke?

Rapid Onset Headache-- All symptoms of a stroke share one important characteristic: they appear suddenly. That's because they appear as the affected area of the brain loses blood, which is itself a sudden occurrence.

Sudden Difficulty Walking, In Particular Problems With Balancing Or Becoming Dizzy-- The motion center of the brain is often damaged during a stroke. When this damage occurs, symptoms of a stroke are visible in the way a person moves. He or she might have trouble staying upright, or might feel suddenly uncoordinated. If any of these symptoms appear suddenly, they are symptoms of a stroke.

Rapid Onset Of Confusion And Disorientation-- Stroke victims often lose their ability to comprehend their surroundings during an attack. These symptoms of a stroke are often very apparent to visitors, but can be difficult for an individual to determine for him or herself.

Rapid Onset Vision Problems Or Blurriness-- Unexplained, sudden vision changes are definite symptoms of a stroke. These are also easy for individuals to recognize in themselves, and should always be a sign to call 911.

Rapid Onset Weakening Or Numbing Of The Body-- Unexplained muscle weakness or numbness is one of the most common and recognizable symptoms of a stroke. These symptoms of a stroke are often present on one side of the body only, and usually affect the face, arm, or leg.

Sudden Slurred Or Difficult Speech-- Individuals who suffer a stroke commonly find that their speech becomes slurred and hard for visitors to understand. This is one of the symptoms of a stroke that is easiest for observers to note, but often difficult for the individual to recognize. It's also one of the few that might be noted during a phone call by a friend or loved one.
*If you experience or observe any of these symptoms of a stroke, Call 911 immediately!
If possible, note when the symptoms of a stroke first began to appear, as this may impact treatment options.

How do I know if I’m At Risk?

Many factors can increase your risk of a stroke. A number of these factors can also increase your chances of having a heart attack. Stroke risk factors include:

Personal or family history of stroke or heart attack.

Being age 55 or older.

High blood pressure — risk of stroke begins to increase at blood pressure readings higher than 115/75 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Your doctor will help you decide on a target blood pressure based on your age, whether you have diabetes and other factors.

High cholesterol — a total cholesterol level above 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), or 5.2 millimoles per liter (mmol/L).

Cigarette smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke.

Diabetes.

Being overweight (body mass index of 25 to 29) or obese (body mass index of 30 or higher).

Physical inactivity.

Cardiovascular disease, including heart failure, a heart defect, heart infection, or abnormal heart rhythm.

Use of birth control pills or hormone therapies that include estrogen.

Heavy or binge drinking.

Use of illicit drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamines.

Because the risk of stroke increases with age and women tend to live longer than men, more women than men have strokes and die of them each year. People of African descent or heritage are more likely to have strokes than are people of other races.

Prevention:

can help prevent stroke by making healthy choices and managing any medical conditions you may have. Some of the best ways are:

Quit smoking

Control your blood pressure

Control your cholesterol

Maintain a healthy weight

Exercise regularly (30 minutes per day)

Eat a diet high in fruits, vegetables and whole-grain cereals

If you have any of the above risk factors, then get screened today!

Often times, lifestyle changes and medical management are effective at slowing the progression of blockage and preventing stroke. There are few clear ways to reduce your risk for a stroke, but medical professionals agree that tests can reveal early warning signs. These warning signs can help you and your family be prepared for a stroke, recognize the symptoms of a stroke faster, and get help in time to limit the damage. HealthFair provides mobile screening services that can help determine your risk for a stroke. Our screenings are completely confidential, and all appointments are conducted in our comfortable and mobile units. A full roster of tests takes less than an hour and can be scheduled at your convenience. Schedule a screening today and learn about your true risk for a stroke.

Screenings Recommended:
Carotid Artery Ultrasound

Resources:

Journal of the American College of Cardiology ACCF/AHA Guideline for Assessment of Cardiovascular Risk in Asymptomatic Adults http://content.onlinejacc.org/cgi/content/full/j.jacc.2010.09.001v1

The Mayo Clinic-- www.mayoclinic.com

American Breast Cancer foundation – www.abcf.org

American Cancer Society - www.cancer.org

American Diabetes Association - www.diabetes.org

American Heart Association - www.americanheart.org

American Liver Foundation - www.liverfoundation.org

American Stroke Association - www.strokeassociation.org

American Thyroid Association - www.thyroid.org

Center for Disease Control - www.cdc.gov

National Osteoporosis Foundation - www.nof.org

Society for Vascular Surgery - www.vascularweb.org

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"Ascending Aortic Aneurysm"

We want to let everyone know that the services that are offered through HealthFair proved to be invaluable to his life. We were happy that the price for that valuable checkup was also affordable for the average person. Go get checked! It may save YOUR life too!"

Linda & Larry
Phoenix, Arizona

"Diagnosing me in 2006 with mitral valve prolapse"

I just wanted to belatedly thank your company for diagnosing me in 2006 with mitral valve prolapse and regurgitation. I was 50 at the time and had begun to notice much more than usual fatigue. My husband and I were having coffee on Sunday morning, saw your ad, and he urged me to go. I did and your simple echocardiogram of my heart showed the problem. I was at the cardiologist within a month and had the valve repaired 4 months later. Otherwise, I would have had congestive heart failure. So - thank you. I tell all of my friends your service is worth every penny.

Melody
Asheville, North Carolina

"HealthFair saved my husband's life!"

"Every doctor and nurse that saw Delbert said that HealthFair had saved his life. They could not believe that we found his aneurysm at a HealthFair! For less than $200 you saved his life!"

Delbert & Sandra
Colonial Heights, Virginia

"Your 7 test package was truly an investment in my health."

"A few months ago, I reluctantly responded to a flyer in my local newspaper for stroke and aneurysm screening. One week later and to my surprise, the screening showed a 90 percent blockage in my carotid arteries, making me a prime candidate for a debilitating or deadly stroke. As a result, I had surgery and am fully on my way to recovery and good health. My wish is that my experience will encourage others to have the same early detection tests."

E. K.
West Palm Beach, Florida

"HealthFair Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm testing saved my life!"

"On Tuesday, July 20th, 2004, I went in for HealthFair's seven-test ultrasound package in Richmond, Virginia. From the moment I arrived, HealthFair's dedicated and professional staff made me feel at ease. During my testing, the staff detected a 7.7 cm Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm which I had no idea was there and for which I had no noticeable symptoms. This was very scary because ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms are usually 90 percent fatal. Because of their findings, and the blessings of the Almighty, I was able to secure the necessary medical assistance and undergo a successful surgery on August 11th, 2004."

Constantino
Colonial Heights, Virginia

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"As a former Canadian Olympic hockey and lacrosse player, I will like to say that my wife, my five children and my 16 grandchildren would like to thank HealthFair for giving this old warrior a chance to live on."

Howard
St Pete Beach, Florida

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"I cannot thank you enough and am a true believer your service is a real-life enhancement to our health care."

Wanda
Blountville, Tennessee

"This Thanksgiving, I Give Thanks For My Life."

"I saw an ad for the mobile ultrasound tests a year before actually signing up to be tested. Unfortunately our friend in Vermont didn't have an opportunity to have these inexpensive tests and died of a ruptured aneurysm. Your seven-test package was truly an investment in my health."

R. Donald
Sarasota, Florida

"These tests most certainly saved Ray's life."

"They discovered an aneurysm on Ray's aorta. The HealthFair tests and the operation that followed most certainly saved Ray's life."

Barbara and Raymond
Summerfield, Florida

Author of the book "My New Life! A Survivors Story"

"I survived two heart attacks and a quadruple bypass surgery. Procedures and heart surgery saved my life, but the pain and fear involved can be avoided. By being screened, you are becoming proactive rather than reactive."

Lawrence
Orlando, Florida

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Are You At Risk?

What are the Warning Signs of Stroke?

How do I know if I’m At Risk?

Prevention:

Screenings Recommended:

Resources:

Find your screening location

Testimonials

"Ascending Aortic Aneurysm"

Linda & Larry Phoenix, Arizona

"Diagnosing me in 2006 with mitral valve prolapse"

Melody Asheville, North Carolina

"HealthFair saved my husband's life!"

Delbert & Sandra Colonial Heights, Virginia