Stroke

What is a Stroke?
A stroke, also called a If the lack of blood lasts
cerebral vascular accident longer than 10 minutes,
(CVA), occurs when there is there may be brain death. Warning Signs
damage to or a block in a A stroke can leave a person of a Stroke
blood vessel that leads to the fully or partly paralyzed.
brain. This block lowers the Paralysis is when a person Trouble walking
amount of blood that gets to cannot feel or move parts Slurred speech
the brain. of their body. Feeling dizzy
Headaches
The blocked vessel
stops blood from
Numbness
getting to part of Blurry or lost
your brain. vision
Blocked blood
vessel
https://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/
our-publications/the-healthy-woman/stroke.pdf

What Puts You at Risk for Having a Stroke?

6.8 million Americans Main Risk Factors Factors that Raise Your
over the age of 20 for Stroke Risk for Stroke
have had a stroke.
Obesity Older age
Once you have had a High blood More common in women
stroke, your risk for pressure African American
having another one is Smoking background
higher. Diabetes Did not finish school
Heart disease Living in south-east parts
of the US
 If you think someone is
having a stroke, call 9-1-1.
Things to do as you wait:
If they are awake:
- Put them on their side with something
under their head.
- Loosen tight clothes so they can
breathe easier.
- Do not give them food or drinks.
- Put something under weak arms or
legs to hold them up.
If they are not awake:
- Put them on their side.
- Look for breathing and feel for a
heartbeat.
- If there are no breaths or heartbeats,
put them on their back and start CPR.
http://dhhs.ne.gov/publichealth/HDSP/Pages/actfast.aspx

What Can Physical Therapy Do for You After a Stroke?

After a stroke, you might stay in a hospital or rehab center for a short time before going home. You
may see a physical therapist (PT) in the hospital and/or as an outpatient in a PT clinic based on how
much help you need to get better.
After a stroke you may have weakness and a hard time moving around on your own. The therapist
can help you get stronger and teach how to cope with any losses you may have.
What can you do by yourself? PT can work with you to reach your goals!

- Move around in bed - Stand without feeling weak

- Sit up in bed - Drive your own wheelchair
- Stand up from sitting - Change direction and speed of
- Get in/out of bed or chair walking without losing balance
- Stand without losing balance - Walk in the grocery store without
getting tired
http://www.cdc.gov/stroke/recovery.htm

Authors: Grace Blankenhagen, SPT, Stephanie Larson, SPT, Margaret Taylor, SPT; Central Michigan University
References
1. McKinley M, OLoughlin VD. Human Anatomy. 3rd ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2011.
2. What to do while you wait for a stroke. Stroke Foundation Website. https://strokefoundation.com.au/About-Stroke/Stroke-symptoms/What-to-do-while-
you-wait-for-an-ambulance#sthash.uxGFRgKd.dpuf. Updated 2016. Accessed July 27, 2016.
3. Go, AS, Mozaffarian D, Roger VL, et al; for the American Heart Association Statistics Committee and Stroke Statistics Subcommittee. Heart disease
and stroke statistics2014 update: a report from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2013;129(3). doi: 10.1161/01.cir.0000441139.02102.80.
4. Liao Y, Greenlund KJ, Croft JB, Keenan NL, Giles WH. Factors explaining excess stroke prevalence in the US stroke belt. Stroke. 2009;40:3336-3341.
doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.109.561688.