Go Red for Women: Well-woman visit

February 5 is National Wear Red Day, a national public awareness day to bring attention to the leading killers of women - heart disease and stroke.  Heart disease is the second and stroke is the fourth leading cause of death for Maine women.

The American Heart Association states that 80 percent of all cardiovascular disease may be preventable.  The best way to prevent it or catch it before it becomes life threatening is by having a well-woman visit (also known as an annual physical).  These visits are tailored to your age, family history and past health history.  The visits often include preventive screenings such as cholesterol, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure and other assessments designed to evaluate your heart health.  This will help to identify any serious health risks, such as heart disease or stroke, before they become life threatening.    

Well-woman visits should be scheduled every year.  If you go several years between visits, you run the risk of a health problem going undetected and causing damage to your body.  Medicare and most private health insurance plans are now required to cover preventive services at no added cost to you. 

To learn more about the well-woman visit: http://bit.ly/WellWomanVisit

To learn more about risk factors for cardiovascular disease: http://MaineHeartHealth.org

Heart attack and stroke: Do you know what to do?

A heart attack or a stroke can happen to anyone at any time.  1,145 Maine people died from a heart attack and stroke in 2011.  The best thing you can do for someone having a heart attack or stroke is call 911 immediately.

Heart Attack 

A heart attack happens when the blood flow to the heart is greatly reduced or completely blocked.  On average, there is a death caused by heart attack about every minute in the United States.  Most people do not know the symptoms of a heart attack and know to call 911.  These symptoms include:

• Pain or discomfort in the chest, jaw, neck, back, arms or shoulders
• Shortness of breath
• Feeling weak, lightheaded, faint or sweaty

Stroke 
A stroke happens when the blood flow to a part of the brain is blocked.  This year almost 800,000 Americans of all ages will suffer stroke, which is the fourth leading cause of death in the country.  Most people do not know the symptoms of a stroke and to call 911.  These symptoms include sudden:

• Numbness in the face, arm or leg
• Slurred speech
• Blurred vision
• Dizziness or loss of balance
• Severe headache

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)
SCA happens when the heart stops beating without any warning.  When this happens, blood flow stops to the brain and other body organs.  If not treated within minutes, the person will die. 

The best way to get the heart pumping again quickly before help arrives is to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).  It works by sending an electric shock to the heart to try and restore its normal rhythm.  They are safe, easy to use, and can be lifesaving. 

Be Prepared

Only skilled medical professionals can determine if someone is having a heart attack, stroke or sudden cardiac arrest.  Your responsibility is to recognize the symptoms and act quickly.  You can help to prepare yourself by taking a CPR/AED course that can teach you critical skills needed to respond and manage these medical emergencies until emergency medical services arrive.  These courses are offered by Maine Adult Education, American Heart Association, and American Red Cross.

For more information about heart attack and stroke visit:http://mainehearthealth.org/.

American Stroke Month

A stroke happens when part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs and starts to die.  This is due to a blocked or ruptured blood vessel leading to or in the brain.  Stroke is the 4th leading cause of death in Maine and is the leading cause of serious, long-term disability in Maine and the U.S. 

What can you do to prevent a stroke?

You cannot control risk factors like age and family history.  Here are steps you can take for the risk factors you can control:

• Know Your ABCS:
  • Ask your doctor if you should take Aspirin every day.
  • Find out if you have high Blood Pressure or Cholesterol.  If you do, work with your doctor to treat it.
  • If you Smoke, get help to quit.  Call the Maine Tobacco Help Line at 1-800-207-1230.
• Be physically active at least 30 minutes on most days
• Eat more fruits and vegetables
• Be sure other foods are low in sodium and trans fat
• Take medication as prescribed by your doctor

What are the warning signs of stroke?

F.A.S.T. is an easy way to remember the sudden signs of stroke:

Face Drooping: Does one side of the face droop or is numb?  Ask the person to smile.  Is the smile uneven?

Arm Weakness: Is one arm weak or numb?  Ask the person to raise both arms.  Does one arm drift downward?

Speech Difficulty: Is speech slurred?  Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand?  Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence.  Is it repeated correctly?

Time to Call 9-1-1: If someone shows any of these signs, even if the signs go away, call 9-1-1.  Check the time so you will know when the first signs appeared.

Other warning signs of stroke include blurred vision, dizziness or loss of balance, and severe headache.

Million Hearts Initiative

Million Hearts® is a national effort to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes by 2017. Million Hearts® brings together communities, health systems, nonprofit organizations, federal agencies, and private-sector partners from across the country to fight heart disease and stroke.  To learn more about the initiative or to make the commitment visit:www.millionhearts.hhs.gov

  

For more information about heart disease visit:http://mainehearthealth.org/

American Heart Month

Heart disease is the second leading cause of death in Maine and describes a variety of conditions that affect your heart and/or blood vessels including coronary artery disease, heart attack, and congestive heart failure.

You can help protect yourself and your loved ones from heart disease by understanding associated risks and taking these steps:

• Know Your ABCS:
  • Do you take Aspirin?  If your healthcare provider has said you are at risk for a heart attack, ask them about taking aspirin.
  • Do you know your Blood Pressure?  A normal blood pressure level is below 120/80.  Talk with your healthcare provider to find out your blood pressure numbers and get in control.
  • Do you know your Cholesterol Level?  A normal cholesterol level is below 200.  Talk with your healthcare provider to find out your cholesterol number and get in control.
  • Do you Smoke?  If you do, get help to quit. Smoking can raise your chances of having a heart attack or stroke.  To help you quit call the Maine Tobacco Help Line at 1-800-207-1230.
• Be physically active at least 30 minutes on most days
• Eat more fruits, vegetables, and other foods low in sodium and trans fat
• Take medication as prescribed by your doctor

Million Hearts Initiative

Million Hearts® is a national effort to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes by 2017. Million Hearts® brings together communities, health systems, nonprofit organizations, federal agencies, and private-sector partners from across the country to fight heart disease and stroke. 

To learn more about the initiative or to make the commitment visit: www.millionhearts.hhs.gov.

For more information about heart disease visit: http://mainehearthealth.org/.

Stroke Awareness Month

A stroke occurs when a blood vessel leading to the brain (or in the brain) is blocked by a clot, or bursts. When this happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, and it starts to die.

Stroke is a leading cause of death, premature mortality, and serious, long-term disability in Maine and the U.S. It is the fourth leading cause of death in Maine and the U.S.

On average, there was one stroke death every 14 hours in Maine in 2009.  Additionally, Maine had the 35th highest stroke death rate among all 50 states and D.C., but among all New England states, Maine had the highest stroke death rate. (The Burden of Cardiovascular Disease in Maine 2012- www.mainehearthealth.org)

It is important for you to know the symptoms of stroke so you can react quickly if someone has a stroke.

Know the Symptoms, it could save a life

Early recognition of stroke symptoms is critical –Time Lost is Brain Loss.

Stroke symptoms include sudden:

·         Numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg

·         Slurred speech

·         Blurred vision

·         Dizziness or loss of balance

·         Severe headache

Rapid treatment by emergency medical providers is important to survival and recovery.

At any sign of stroke: Call 911 immediately

Lower your risk of having a Stroke

You can help protect yourself and loved ones from stroke by knowing the risks and taking these steps:

• Know your ABCS
• Ask your doctor if you should take Aspirin every day
• Find out if you have high Blood Pressure or Cholesterol, if you do, work with your doctor to treat it
• If you Smoke, get help to quit       
• Be physically active at least 30 minutes on most days
• Eat more fruits, vegetables and other foods low in sodium and trans fat
• Take medicine as prescribed by your doctor

For more information:

• American Stroke Association: http://www.strokeassociation.org/
• Maine CDC Cardiovascular Health Program Website at www.mainehearthealth.org; or contact Tina Love, CVH Specialist, at tlove@mcdph.org

Million Hearts Program- Help us prevent one million heart attacks and strokes over five years: http://millionhearts.hhs.gov/

American Heart Month

February is American Heart Month. Most of us know someone who has had a heart attack or stroke. In Maine, more than 1 of every 4 deaths is from heart disease or stroke.

 

You can help protect yourself and your loved ones from heart disease and stroke by understanding the risks and taking these steps

• Know your ABCS
• Ask your doctor if you should take an Aspirin every day
• Find out if you have high Blood pressure or Cholesterol, if you do, work with your doctor to treat it
• If you Smoke, get help to quit ~ Maine Tobacco Helpline 1-800-207-1230
• Be physically active at least 30 minutes on most days
• Eat more fruits, vegetables and other foods low in sodium and transfat
• Take medicine as prescribed by your doctor

What else can you do?

 

Heart Month is a great time to learn about the Million Hearts Campaign.

 

Million Hearts is a national campaign with the goal of preventing 1 million heart attacks and strokes over five years.

For more about heart disease and stroke visit http://www.mainehearthealth.org/

Stroke Awareness Month (2012)

May is National Stroke Awareness Month.  Nearly 75% of strokes occur in people who are 65 years and older.  It is important for you to know the symptoms so you can react quickly if someone has a stroke. 

Know the Symptoms, it could save a life
Early recognition of stroke symptoms is critical – time lost is brain lost.
Stroke symptoms include SUDDEN

·        Numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg

·        Slurred speech

·        Blurred vision

·        Dizziness or loss of balance

·        Severe headache

Rapid treatment by emergency medical providers is important to survival and recovery. 
At any sign of stroke: Call 911 immediately

Lower your risk of having a Stroke
You can help protect yourself and loved ones from stroke by knowing the risks and taking these steps

·         Know your ABCS

o        Ask your doctor if you should take Aspirin every day

o        Find out if you have high Blood Pressure or Cholesterol, if you do, work with your doctor to treat it

o        If you Smoke, get help to quit   

·         Be physically active at least 30 minutes on most days

·         Eat more fruits, vegetables and other foods low in sodium and transfat

·         Take medicine as prescribed by your doctor

For more information visit the Maine CDC Cardiovascular Health Program Website www.mainehearthealth.org or contact david.pied@maine.gov

Help us prevent one million heart attacks and strokes over five years http://millionhearts.hhs.gov/

Do you know the signs of stroke?

Tyra Tarbox is a 45 year old mother of four from Cumberland who suffered a significant seizure resulting in a stroke late one evening after returning home from work. Luckily, her husband was there and he took quick action, calling 911. She was rushed to the hospital, evaluated, and quickly flown to a Boston hospital for surgery.

When she awoke six days later, Tyra had no body movement and could not move her eyes to the right. She had survived not only a stroke, but also a series of complications resulting from her brain’s lack of blood. After almost a month of inpatient rehabilitation in Portland, she returned home on her husband’s birthday and is now leading a full life.

Tyra’s story is one of many stories of Mainers who have had a stroke. Unfortunately, not all the stories end so happily. Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in Maine and the United States and is also a leading cause of serious long-term disability in adults. The Maine CDC/DHHS Cardiovascular Health Program is working with the Maine Affiliate of the American Stroke Association and other statewide partners to help more Mainers recognize the symptoms of stroke and the importance of calling 911 at the first sign of stroke.

To bring attention to National Stroke Awareness Month, Tyra Tarbox will join statewide partners working to improve stroke systems of care at the American Stroke Association Legislative Awareness Day on Tuesday, May 3, 2011, from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM at the Maine State House in the Hall of Flags.

Early recognition of stroke symptoms is critical – time lost is brain lost. Stroke symptoms include sudden:

• Numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg
• Slurred speech
• Blurred vision
• Dizziness or loss of balance
• Severe headache

“A patient’s survival and successful recovery are greatly increased if symptoms are recognized quickly and medical attention is given right away,” said Dr. Stephen Sears, Acting Director Maine CDC/DHHS. “Our goal is to raise awareness and empower everyone — patient and bystander — to see stroke as a medical emergency requiring an immediate call to 911. If we increase people’s ability to recognize stroke symptoms, we can positively impact patients and hopefully increase their chance of having little or no long-term physical or mental disability.”

Nearly 75% of all strokes occur in people aged 65 years and older. Risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, lack of physical activity, poor nutrition, and a history of cardiovascular disease or diabetes also increase the possibility of stroke.

More information is available at the following websites: www.mainehearthealth.org and www.strokeassociation.org.

Stroke Awareness Month: Learn the Symptoms and Act Quickly

A stroke occurs when a blood vessel carrying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked or bursts, and part of the brain begins to die. A person experiencing a stroke may not realize it is occurring, but bystanders can recognize the symptoms and act immediately.

Chances of survival and recovery are improved if immediate medical attention is given; the sooner a stroke patient receives treatment, the more likely that long-term brain damage and disability may be avoided.

Stroke symptoms include SUDDEN:
> Numbness in the face, arm, or leg
> Slurred speech
> Blurred vision
> Dizziness or loss of balance
> Severe headaches

Any ONE of these symptoms is a reason to take action. At the first sign of stroke, Call 911 immediately.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in Maine.

To help increase the number of stroke victims who receive timely treatment, the Maine CDC/DHHS Cardiovascular Health Program (MCVHP) is working with several statewide partners, including the Maine Affiliate of the American Stroke Association, to raise awareness of stroke symptoms and to help improve health care for stroke patients. You can play a key role too, learn the symptoms and at the first sign of stroke call 911.