1. L.A.F. Lets Act Fast A community Stroke education by
the professional nursing members of NAINA
Presentation prepared by Varsha Singh MSN,APN-C

2. NAINA Stroke Community Education L.A.F.
A NATIONAL Community Education Project
Prevention is better than cure.

3. Lets Act Fast (L.A.F.) Objectives
Conduct the stroke education for community members.
Create awareness about Stroke
Discuss warning signs of stroke
Discuss action plan when signs and symptoms noted.
Mention Stroke Risk factors
Discuss resources available for stroke awareness.

4. Heart and Brain
Brain is like a master controller, which controls every function of the body. But brain needs oxygen and sugar which is supplied through blood vessels.
Heart is a pump that sends blood to all the different parts of body. It brings blood to brain. Its function is just like a pump similar to the water supply pump in our house.
When heart works under pressure the tiny little pipes (arteries) in brain can break and lead to what is known as bleed in the brain or hemorrhagic stroke.
The high cholesterol or diseases that can cause clots can block an artery in brain and cause what is known as Ischemic stroke.

5. Why Your Brain is So Important????
THE CENTER OF THE HUMAN UNIVERSE…..IS
“YOUR BRAIN”
MEMORY
INTELLIGENCE
BEHAVIOR
PERSONALITY
THOUGHT
SPEECH
ALL MOVEMENTS
HEARING
VISION
COORDINATION
BODY FUNCTIONS
COMPREHENSION

6. Stroke - A Major Medical Concern
#5th Leading cause of death in the United States
Every 40 seconds, someone in the US has a stroke
#1 Cause of disability in the US
Approximately, 1 in 4 people die within one year after having an initial stroke
Every 4 minutes, someone in the US dies from stroke
Good news!
Up to 80% of all strokes are Preventable through risk factor management

7. What is a Stroke?
A stroke or a “Brain Attack” occurs when there is no blood circulation to the brain.
The brain needs oxygen and nutrients transported by the blood travelling to the brain.
A block in the arteries of brain or bleeding in brain can stop the blood supply to brain
No blood flow to the brain = No function of brain

8. Types of Stroke Ischemic= Clot/Block Hemorrhagic= Bleed
Blockage of arteries
87% of all strokes
Hemorrhagic= Bleed
Bleeding around brain
Bleeding into brain

9. Types of Stroke
Blocked Vessel Broken Vessel

10. Time is BRAIN
Think about this!! 1.9 million neurons die every minute after Stroke Someone can loose all the functions controlled by those neurons every minute

11. Some myths about stroke
Myth: Stroke happens to the heart
Reality: Stroke is a "Brain Attack"
Myth: Stroke cannot be treated. Nothing can be done once someone has stroke.
Reality: Stroke requires emergency treatment
Myth: Stroke only strikes the elderly
Reality: Stroke can happen to anyone
Myth: You can’t prevent if someone is going to have a stroke.
Reality: Stroke is largely preventable

12. What the community members need to know?
1. Learn about the warning signs of stroke 2. Learn what to do if someone is exhibiting these signs and symptoms. 3.Understand the risk factors for stroke and practice prevention.

13. Why it is important to educate the community??
Stroke can occur ANYWHERE. Community members must know how to recognize the signs and symptoms of stroke.
To provide critical treatment there is only 3 hour window. Early arrival to hospital is main goal.
If no one is aware in community then we miss the chance to bring someone quickly to emergency room.

15. F-A-S-T
F = Face: ask the person to smile See if the smile is even or not.
A = Arm: ask the person to raise both arms. See if the arms stay at the same level.
S = Speech: ask the person to speak a simple sentence.
Note is there is any change in speech or the person cannot talk properly.
If you suspect that the person is showing any of the FAST sign then it is
T = Time: to CALL 911
Every minute matters!
Rose is
red

16. Warning Signs indicating stroke
Uneven face, droop on one side of face or drooling
Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or coordination
Sudden severe headache with no known cause
Sudden trouble with understanding the speech ,blank look on face
Suddenly dropping things due to weakness of hands.

17. TIA/Mini Stroke
A possible sign that a stroke is about to occur, is called a transient ischemic attack (TIA)
“warning sign” –
A temporary interruption in blood flow to a part of the brain
Symptoms of TIA are similar to a stroke but resolve within 24 hours or less
Do Not Ignore any symptoms!
Call 911 immediately!
You may be able to Prevent a Major Stroke from occurring!
TIME IS BRAIN!

18. When Stroke Strikes
(L.A.F.)Lets Act F.A.S.T.
Call 9-1-1

19. What happens in the hospital
The patient is treated immediately in emergency department as an emergency.
Across the nation the hospital professionals are trained to treat Stroke
First of all the patient will get the CT Scan of the head to find out what is the type of stroke .Clot or bleed in brain.
Next treatment is decided based on the CT Scan results.
They will try to administer a clot buster medication that opens up the blood flow to brain
If there is hemorrhagic stroke then there are surgical procedures that can save the life.

20. Why it is important to ACT FAST
Once stroke warning signs are detected there is a 3 hour window to administer clot buster medication. So faster the patient is taken to hopsital,faster the medication can be given.
For bleeding, faster the patient gets a specialist evaluation or surgery, faster is recovery and chances of saving the dying neurons.
Every minute counts.

21. What is the main goal?
The person affected with the Stroke symptoms must be taken to nearest Stroke Center AS SOON AS possible.
The best way to accomplish this is by calling 911.
All EMS and Ambulance squads are trained to transfer the stroke patients immediately to Stroke Center.

22. What Can I do to Prevent Stroke?
Know the risk factors and keep them in control

23. Stroke Risk Factors That Cannot Be Controlled
Age: Stroke can occur in all age groups
Heredity (family history): Stroke seems to run in some families
Race: In African Americans the risk is twice as high as Hispanics compared to white population. South Asians have higher mortality when they have stroke.
Sex (gender): Men have a higher risk for stroke, but more women die from it
Previous stroke or heart attack

24. Stroke Risk Factors that Can be Controlled
Ten Prevention Guidelines
Hypertension/High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is also known as “Silent Killer” because there are no obvious symptoms
High blood pressure slowly makes changes to heart and blood vessels and increases your risk of stroke by 4 to 6 times!
Cigarette Smoking- Stop!
It increases the risk of ischemic stroke by 2 times and up to 4 times in hemorrhagic strokes

25. Stroke Risk Factors that Can be Controlled (contd.)
Heart disease
Common heart disorders such as Coronary Artery disease, valve defects, irregular heart beats (Atrial-Fibrillation) and enlargement of the heart are risk factors for stroke (Coronary arteries bring blood to the heart )
All these condition can lead to small blood clots that may break loose and travel to cause a block in arteries
Such a block can stop blood supply to brain causing stroke
Diabetes
Having it, is equal to aging 15 years. It causes destructive changes in the blood vessels
Control your diabetes by monitoring your blood sugar

26. Stroke Risk Factors that Can be Controlled (contd.)
High Cholesterol
Know your LDL levels & Triglycerides
Change your Diet & get more exercise
Medication regimen: Talk to your Doctor
Alcohol Intake
In moderation: Heavy alcohol use may elevate stroke risk through increasing risks of hypertension, atrial fibrillation, cardiomyopathy, and diabetes
Physical Inactivity
Try to exercise for at least 40 minutes 3-4 times a week. Start slow and progress at your comfort level
Diet Control
Low Fat, Low sodium (salt)
Fruits, Vegetables and Whole Grains

27. Stroke Risk Factors that Can be Controlled (contd.)
Obesity
Obesity and inactivity are associated with hypertension, diabetes and heart disease
Waist circumference to hip circumference ratio is the best way to assess risk of stroke
Warning signs or history of TIA or Stroke
You are at a higher risk of having a stroke than someone who has never had a stroke
Dial 911 immediately should you see or have any of the warning signs!

28. Stroke is an emergency L.A.F. Lets Act Fast STROKE CENTER!
If you notice one or more of the stroke warning signs,
GET HELP IMMEDIATELY!
Stroke is an emergency
L.A.F. Lets Act Fast
CALL 9-1-1
(Not a transport service)
Don’t delay! Have the Patient transported to the nearest
STROKE CENTER!

29. Stroke Recovery But remember that 80% stroke are preventable
10% of stroke survivors recover almost completely
25% recover with minor impairments
40% experience moderate to severe impairments requiring special care.
10% require care within either a skilled-care or other long-term care facility.
15% die shortly after the stroke
But remember that 80% stroke are preventable

30. Where can I get more information about my own risk for stroke
Your own primary provider (MD or APN)
Your cardiologist
Your local hospital community education dept.
Your city health department
Your local library where you can read variety of health journals
Website

31. Community member as a peer educator
Take the FAST card or poster with you.
Talk to your friends and family members about Stroke Warning Signs
Organize an event for your community organization
Invite the Stroke educators to your monthly meetings
Educate about stroke and L.A.F. –Lets Act Fast

32. Stroke can be treated……. L.A.F. –Lets Act Fast

33. What is the first action if someone is experiencing stroke?
Call 911

34. Before clot removal and after clot removal

35. Acknowledgements
American Heart Association: ;
American Stroke Association: STROKE ( );
Brain Attack Coalition: ;
Internet Stroke Center:
Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations: ;
National Stroke Association: STROKES ( );

36. Thank you for listening
Questions?