Resources for stroke patients
and their families
Stroke Organizations
Stroke Follow-Up Clinic
American Stroke Association
4502 Medical Drive, 5th Floor
San Antonio, TX 78229
Tuesdays, 1-5 p.m.
(210)-358-8555
A division of the
American Heart Association
8415 Wurzbach Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78229
(210) 617-2600
www.americanheart.org
www.strokeassociation.org
National Stroke Association
800-787-6537
Brain Aneurysm Foundation
12 Clarendon St.
Boston, ME 02116
(617)723-3870
www.Bafound.org
National Aphasia Association
29 New York, NY 10038
800-922-4622
www.aphasia.org
What you need to know
about your stroke
Helpful Resources
SignsOfStroke.net
Spanish:
www.medicinatv.com
Tobacco Cessation
(Stop Smoking):
358-7355
Chronic Disease
Self Management Program:
358-7355
Books
“Living with Stroke”
Richard Senelick, MD
“Nutrition and Stroke: Prevention & Treatment”
Salah Gariballa
“Stroke and the Family”
Joel Stein, MD
“The High Blood Pressusre Solution”
Richard Moore, PhD
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UHS Stroke Support Group
Support. Education. Encouragement.
A stroke is a life-changing experience, and not just for the stroke
survivor. University Health System invites stroke survivors, family
members and caregivers to join us for an uplifting support
group. Come gain support, education and encouragement from
others who know what you are going through.
Meetings are held from 5 - 6 p.m. on the second Thursday of
every month. Mark your calendar for these meetings:
March 13
April 10
May 8
June 12
July 10
August 14
September 11
October 9
November 13
December 11
Light refreshments will be served. Free parking available.
For more information, please call 358-8555.
Risk Factors You CANNOT Control
AGE
For every 10 years you live, your risk of having a stroke
increases.
GENDER
Men have 2 times greater
risk for stroke than women.
However, more women die of
stroke than of breast cancer.
RACE
African Americans have 2 times greater risk of stroke than
other races. Hispanics and Asians have the greatest risk for
stroke from burst blood vessels.
PAST STROKE or TIA
If you’ve already had a stroke or a mini-stroke (TIA), your risk
for stroke is now greater. TIAs do not cause lasting damage;
however, they are a warning sign that a more serious stroke
may occur.
FAMILY HISTORY
Your risk for stroke is
greater when heart attack,
stroke, or TIA runs in your
family.
Robert B. Green Campus
5th Floor, Foundation Room
903 W. Martin San Antonio, TX 78207
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Risk Factors you CAN Control
The type of stroke you had
ALCOHOL, CAFFEINE, and DRUG USE
Heavy alcohol use increases
risk for stroke. Drinking three
or more cups of coffee a
day may increase the risk of
stroke in older men with high
blood pressure. Use of street
drugs, especially cocaine and
amphetamines, is a major stroke
risk. Using steroids for bodybuilding increases risk of stroke.
STRESS
Studies show a link between mental stress and the narrowing
of the carotid arteries. Learning and practicing ways to
reduce stress may help reduce your stroke risk.
POOR NUTRITION
A diet high in fat, sugar,
and salt puts you at risk for
stroke. Studies show that
eating 5 servings of fruit and
vegetables a day will reduce
your risk of stroke by 30
percent.
Ischemic (Clots)
Most common kind of
stroke. A result of an
obstruction within a
blood vessel supplying
blood to the brain.
Hemorrhagic
(Bleed)
Happens when a
weakened blood vessel
ruptures. Two types of
weakened blood vessels
usually cause this kind
of stroke: aneurysms
and arteriovenous
malformations (AVMs).
TIA (Transient
Ischemic Attack)
Also called a “mini
stroke”. These warning
strokes should be
taken very seriously.
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My Symptoms
HIGH CHOLESTEROL
An unhealthy cholesterol (co-LESS-ter-all) balance can lead
to fat deposits in the arteries. These deposits are called
plaque (PLAK). Plaque narrows the arteries and can lead
to stroke. You should have your first cholesterol check at
age 20. After that, follow your doctor’s guidelines for regular
cholesterol testing. The best time for a cholesterol check is
after you have not eaten for several hours. You should learn
what your cholesterol numbers are.
Cholesterol on Admission: __________ Your Goal: ___________
The part of your brain that had the blockage was the:
__________________________
OBESITY
Some things you may feel:
Weakness in arms or legs
_______________________
Slurred speech
_______________________
Blurred vision
_______________________
Forgetfulness
_______________________
Mood swings
_______________________
The treatments you received while at University Hospital:
Excess weight increases
your risk of stroke. People
who have a stroke or heart
disease often have excess
body fat around their lower
belly, or abdomen. This
is sometimes called an
“apple shape”. Obesity
can also bring other risk
factors with it, such as high
blood pressure, higher bad
cholesterol, and diabetes.
Weight control and exercise
improve your circulation and
help reduce other risk factors.
Admission Weight: ___________ Goal Weight: ____________
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Risk Factors you CAN Control
Follow-up Care
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
It is important for you to keep all follow-up appointments
with your physician – even if you are feeling well.
Your follow-up appointments:
The #1 risk factor for stroke is
high blood pressure. Another
name for high blood pressure is
HYPERTENSION. When you control
your blood pressure, you can
greatly reduce your risk of stroke.
Talk to your doctor to learn what
your blood pressure should be.
Starting at age 55, you should get
your blood pressure checked twice
a year, unless your doctor advises more frequent checks.
BP on Admission: ____________ BP on Discharge: ____________
Medications
These are the medications you will be taking at home:
SMOKING
Smoking is a major risk for stroke for these reasons:
• Smoking causes your blood to clot easier.
• Smoking increases the build-up of plaque (PLAK)
in your arteries.
• Every time you smoke, your arteries narrow and your
blood pressure increases as a result of the nicotine.
Take your medicines the way your
doctor told you to take them.
NEVER skip doses.
If you have any questions about
your medicines, call your Pharmacy
or Nurse Link, at 358-3000.
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Stroke is a medical emergency
Symptoms of a Stroke
If you or someone you know is
having signs of a stroke, call 911 and
seek medical help IMMEDIATELY!
The most common sign of stroke is sudden weakness of the
face, arm, or leg, most often on one side of the body.
Do Not wait to see if the symptoms
go away on their own. Even if
the symptoms pass quickly, they
could be an important warning that
requires prompt medical attention.
Other warning signs can include sudden:
• numbness of the face, arm or leg
• confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech
• trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• severe headache with no known cause
A stroke occurs when the brain’s blood flow stops or when
blood leaks into brain tissue. The oxygen supply to a part of
the brain is interrupted by a stroke, causing brain cells in that
area to die. This means that some parts of the body may not
be able to function.
There are a number of risk factors that increase the chances
of having a stroke. Some risk factors cannot be reversed or
changed. They are uncontrollable. But, you can do something
about most of the risk factors for stroke. TIA stands for transient
ischemic attack. TIAs do not cause lasting damage; however,
they are a warning sign that a more serious stroke may occur.
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ACT FAST:
FACE
Facial droop
Uneven smile
ARMS
Arm numbness
Arm weakness
SPEECH
Slurred speech
Difficulty speaking
or understanding
TIME
Time is critical–
Call 911 or get to the
hospital immediately.
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