Pulse stroke SPECIAL FEATURE:
Continued from page 8
What’s your stroke risk?
Circle each box that applies to you. Each box you circle equals one point. Total your score at the bottom of
each column and find out how to interpret your score under “What your score means,” below.
RISK FACTOR
Blood pressure
Cholesterol
Diabetes
Smoking
Atrial fibrillation
Diet
Exercise
History of stroke
in my family
SCORE
HIGH RISK
> 140/90 or I don’t know
> 240 or I don’t know
Yes
I still smoke
I have an irregular
heartbeat
I am overweight
I am a couch potato
Yes
CAUTION
120–139/80–89
200–239
Borderline
I’m trying to quit
I don’t know
I am slightly overweight
I exercise sometimes
Not sure
LOW RISK
< 120/80
< 200
No
I am a nonsmoker
My heartbeat is not
irregular
My weight is healthy
I exercise regularly
No
If your red score is 3 or more, please ask your doctor about stroke prevention right away.
Here’s help for stroke prevention and recovery from the National
Stroke Association. It o;ers two free information packets, which can
be requested at 800/787-6537 or stroke.org.
Free stroke resources
Beat Stronger. Live Longer.
Go to the hospital as quickly
as possible after a stroke
to improve your chances of
effective treatment. Strokes
caused by blood clots in blood
vessels of the brain can be
treated with the clot-busting
drug known as TPA (tissue
plasminogen activator)—if
you get to the hospital within
three hours of the first signs of
stroke. (A new study suggests
the TPA treatment window
may be slightly longer, perhaps
up to 4. 5 hours, which may
provide a small time cushion.)
Act fast
in stroke
General packet: Illustrated color
brochures explain di;erent
types of stroke and TIAs
(transient ischemic attacks, or
mini strokes), how to reduce
stroke risk, and how to manage
hypertension. A stroke symptom
wallet card is included, too.
10
Recovery packet: Brochures cover
what you need to know about life
after a stroke. Also includes a sample
of StrokeSmart, a free bimonthly stroke
recovery magazine you can subscribe to.
PHOTO: SCOT T LI T TLE
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