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Cardiovascular Health Program FACTS ABOUT STROKE Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and in Nebraska. It is also one of the leading causes of adult disability. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. As a result, part of the brain does not get the blood it needs and begins to die. The longer the blood flow is cut off to the brain, the greater the damage. ACT FAST Stroke is a medical emergency. Every minute counts when someone is having a stroke. Go to the emergency room immediately when any of the signs of stroke are noticed or suspected. Immediate treatment can save someone’s life and prevent or reduce disability. RISK FACTORS FOR STROKE High Blood Pressure: Control it! Treat it! The #1 cause of stroke. To help control your blood pressure, eat a balanced diet, maintain a healthy weight, be active, and always take blood pressure medication as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Mini-Strokes (TIAs): Seek Help! When stroke symptoms appear and disappear, call 9-1-1! You may be able to prevent a major stroke by seeking treatment from your healthcare provider. Diabetes: Treat it! Control it! Treating and controlling diabetes through diet, activity, and medication, can delay complications that increase your risk of stroke. Smoking: Quit! Smoking increases your risk of stroke by two to three times. Medical help is available through your healthcare provider or call the toll-free Nebraska Tobacco Quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW. Obesity: Prevent it! Reduce it! Being just 20 pounds overweight significantly increases your risk of stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. You can prevent obesity or reduce weight by eating a balanced diet, controlling food portion sizes, and being physically active. Even small decreases in weight can produce significant risk reduction. High Blood Cholesterol: Control it! Treat it! Cholesterol can build up and cause hardening of your blood vessels. This increases your risk for stroke. To help control your cholesterol, eat a balanced diet, maintain a healthy weight, be active, and always take cholesterol medication as prescribed by your healthcare provider. For more information on stroke please visit: http://nihseniorhealth.gov/stroke/toc.html http://www.ninds.nih.gov/ http://www.americanstroke.org/ http://www.stroke.org http://www.nebraskastroke.org http://www.strikeoutstroke.org/ http://www.strokeassociation.org/ Contact: Nebraska Cardiovascular Health Program 301 Centennial Mall South   P.O. Box 95026 Lincoln, NE 68509-5044 (402) 471-2101

EMS Assessment for Stroke or STEMI Paper Survey Stroke STEMI & Stroke Nebraska Heart Disease and Stroke State Plan 2007-2012 Assessment of Acute Stroke In Nebraska Hospitals Report Nebraska Heart Truth Campaign Strike Out Stroke Campaign Act FAST Campaign Order FREE Heart Disease and Stroke Educational Materials