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Organization: Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital
Date: July 1, 2008
Act FAST to Treat a Stroke
Free Community FAST-MAG Stroke Research Informational Meeting
at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital
VALENCIA, CA (June 30, 2008) — You may pat yourself on the back when you experience a stroke of luck or a stroke of genius. But the type of stroke that attacks the brain is one you want to take strides to avoid. To help increase knowledge of what a stroke is, its treatments, and warning signs, Henry Mayo will host a free community information meeting on Wednesday, July 23, 12:00-1:30 pm, in the hospital’s Greeley Education Center.
There are many myths associated with strokes, such as "They only happen to the elderly" or "They can’t be prevented." In reality, strokes can affect people of all ages, genders and ethnicities. Preventing a stroke is similar to preventing other health conditions, including cancer and diabetes. It takes planning, attention to lifestyle and an understanding of the risk factors.
"Stoke is the third leading cause of death in the U.S., and the leading cause of adult disability," says Heather Flaherty, MD, emergency medicine physician at Henry Mayo.
Presented by Jeffrey Saver, MD and Sidney Starkman, MD of UCLA Medical Center, the meeting will also increase awareness of the Field Administration of Stroke Therapy-Magnesium (FAST-MAG) Trial and the use of deferred consent in the trial. Discussion topics will include:
Stroke: What is a Stroke, Stroke Warning Signs, Standard Stroke Treatments
The National Institute of Health Field Administration of Stroke Therapy — Magnesium (FAST-MAG) Trial
Paramedics and the Prehospital System in Stroke Care and the FAST-MAG Trial
Deferred Consent in the NIH FAST-MAG Trial
Discussion and audience questions
The meeting is free, and open to the public and all healthcare personnel; however, seating is limited and reservations are recommended. Attendees will be encouraged to provide their views of the study’s design and performance. To reserve a seat for the lecture, please call 253-8089.
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Be Stroke Savvy A stroke isn’t a one-size-fits-all condition. There are many forms, ranging from mild to severe. The two most common types of stroke are ischemic and hemorrhagic. An ischemic stroke occurs when there’s a blockage (a clot or narrow artery) that restricts blood flow to the brain. The second type — a hemorrhagic stroke — is caused by bleeding in the brain due to a broken blood vessel.
Being aware of the risk factors and how to control them is the first step in preventing a stroke from happening. Certain risk factors, such as your age, family history, gender and having had a prior stroke, are out of your control. But others are within your power to change:
High blood pressure is at the top of the list of controllable risk factors. It’s typically associated with heart disease, but it’s a major cause of stroke. Get high blood pressure in check, and you may reduce your risk for a variety of health problems.
Smoking cigarettes has a negative affect on the body. It increases blood pressure and encourages blood to clot.
Diabetes patients may experience high blood pressure, and the condition itself can harm the blood vessels in the brain over time.
Heart arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation, can cause blood clots. If a clot travels through the bloodstream to the brain, a stroke may occur.
Lifestyle Changes Are Key To keep yourself in optimum health and to help prevent a stroke, begin with smart lifestyle habits. Eat well and exercise regularly to maintain a healthy weight. And if you smoke, get the support you need to quit. You’ll help lower your blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels — giving your brain and the rest of your body more health benefits and nutrients to keep stroke at bay.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a stroke, call 911 immediately. The quicker treatment can begin, the better the survival rate.
For more information about the free FAST-MAG stroke community information meeting on Wednesday, July 23, or to reserve a seat, please call Laura Young, public relations manager, at 661-253-8089.
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ABOUT HENRY MAYO — Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital is a 221 bed not-for-profit acute care hospital serving the Santa Clarita Valley since 1975. Services include trauma, emergency, intensive care, maternity, surgery, nursing, wound care, behavioral health, and acute rehab, as well as cancer, cardiology, imaging, lab, digestive, respiratory services and physical and occupational therapies. Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital is located at 23845 McBean Parkway, Valencia, CA 91355-2083. For more information, visit www.henrymayo.com or call 661-253-8000.
