Few Concerned Despite High Stroke Risk
Survey: Few Act to Cut Risk of Stroke, Death
May 16, 2003 -- People likely know if they're at high risk of stroke. Yet most are remarkably blasé. Few act to cut their risk, a U.S. survey finds.
The findings come from a telephone survey commissioned by the National Council on the Aging. The survey polled a national sample of about 1,000 U.S. residents, of which almost half were 55 and older.
The result: Americans are well aware that having one stroke puts a person at risk of another one. Older Americans know that they are the ones most likely to have a stroke. Yet neither group reports much concern over having a stroke. Neither is likely to make the lifestyle changes needed to prevent stroke.
"Those who have already had a stroke can make changes to their everyday routines to lower their risk for a second stroke or a heart attack," Northwestern University neurologist Mark Alberts, MD, says in a NCOA news release. "It is particularly important that stroke survivors and their families or caregivers work closely with their physician to develop an individualized treatment plan, which will often include medication."
Most Americans already know what increases the risk of stroke:
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. and a major cause of disability, yet only 11% of Americans list it as their major health concern. Nearly half of all Americans -- and a third of those over 65 -- say they don't think they are personally vulnerable to stroke. Five out of six Americans haven't even talked to their doctor about their stroke risk. Only one in four of those over 65 has had this important conversation.
"For older Americans, stroke poses a significant health risk, so it is alarming to us that so few seniors have discussed their personal risk for stroke with their doctor," NCOA president James P. Firman says in a news release.
Here's the NCOA's advice on how to reduce stroke risk:
Prompt treatment of stroke saves lives. Know the symptoms:
Few Concerned Despite High Stroke Risk
Survey: Few Act to Cut Risk of Stroke, Death
May 16, 2003 -- People likely know if they're at high risk of stroke. Yet most are remarkably blasé. Few act to cut their risk, a U.S. survey finds.
The findings come from a telephone survey commissioned by the National Council on the Aging. The survey polled a national sample of about 1,000 U.S. residents, of which almost half were 55 and older.
The result: Americans are well aware that having one stroke puts a person at risk of another one. Older Americans know that they are the ones most likely to have a stroke. Yet neither group reports much concern over having a stroke. Neither is likely to make the lifestyle changes needed to prevent stroke.
"Those who have already had a stroke can make changes to their everyday routines to lower their risk for a second stroke or a heart attack," Northwestern University neurologist Mark Alberts, MD, says in a NCOA news release. "It is particularly important that stroke survivors and their families or caregivers work closely with their physician to develop an individualized treatment plan, which will often include medication."
Most Americans already know what increases the risk of stroke:
- High blood pressure
- Blood clots
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Poor circulation
- Poor diet
- Family history of stroke
- Diabetes
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. and a major cause of disability, yet only 11% of Americans list it as their major health concern. Nearly half of all Americans -- and a third of those over 65 -- say they don't think they are personally vulnerable to stroke. Five out of six Americans haven't even talked to their doctor about their stroke risk. Only one in four of those over 65 has had this important conversation.
"For older Americans, stroke poses a significant health risk, so it is alarming to us that so few seniors have discussed their personal risk for stroke with their doctor," NCOA president James P. Firman says in a news release.
Here's the NCOA's advice on how to reduce stroke risk:
- Talk to your doctor
- Cut down on foods high in salt, saturated fat, and cholesterol
- Exercise
- Stop smoking
- If your doctor prescribes medicines, take them as recommended
Prompt treatment of stroke saves lives. Know the symptoms:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
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