Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 6 May 1999 — Page 9

The Muncie Times, May 6,1999, Page 9

FOR YOUR HEALTH

May is stroke awareness month

For May, which is Stroke Awareness Month, the American Heart Association wants everyone to know that when it comes to treating stroke, every second counts. The theme for Stroke Awareness Month 1999 is “Stroke is a Medical Emergency—Call 911!” The association is urging everyone to eliminate changeable stroke risk factors, learn the warning signs of stroke and get immediate medical help if a stroke occurs. Every 53 seconds, someone in the United States experiences a stroke. Every 3.3 minutes, someone dies of one. Stroke is the third leading cause of death, behind disease of the heart and cancer, and is a leading cause of serious, longterm disability. Each year about 600,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke. In 1996 stroke killed 159,942 people and left many of those who survived with severe disability. Here are the warning signs of stroke: ■ Sudeten 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 headaches with no known cause. Every second counts. Anyone seeing or experiencing any of these symptoms should call 911 immediately. Treatment

can be more effective is given quickly. Early detection and immediate treatment of stroke may prevent some brain injury. Tissue plasminogen activator (TPA), a drug that may help reduce disability from stroke, must be administered whithin 3 hours after the onset of stroke symptoms to be most effective. “Immediate medical attention is vital in reducing injury to the brain when a stroke occurs,” said Melinda Hunnicutt, M. D. and AHA volunteer. “It can make the difference between life or death and in the quality of life for a stroke survivor. Everyone should accept responsibility for learning the warning signs of strokes, just like learning basic first aid or CPR.” A stroke is similar to a heart attack. It occurs when a blood vessel bringing oxygen and nutrients to the brain bursts or is clogged by a blood clot or some other particle. This rupture or blockage keeps part of the brain from getting the oxygen it needs. Without oxygen, the nerve cells n. u,:: re: function and die within minutes. The part of the body that these cells control also can’t function— which can sometimes lead to death. Sometimes a major stroke is preceded by a series of "mini” strokes days, weeks or even months before a major stroke occurs. These temporary strokes, known as transient ischemic attacks or TIAs, result when a blood clot or other particle temporarily clogs an artery and part of the brain

doesn’t get the supply of blood it needs. TIAs do not cause permanent injury, but are a serious warning sign. They can be treated with drugs that keep clots from forming. Stroke is largely preventable by practicing healthy lifestyle habits that reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, controlling high blood pressure, maintaining healthy blood cholesterol levels, eating foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol, being physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, stop smoking and getting regular medical checkups. A stroke is not a hopeless situation. Many treatments and rehabilitation therapies can help stroke survivors and their families recover and cope. The American Heart Association’s Stroke Connection program provides resources and support to stroke patients, their families and caregivers. This unique program makes it possible for those effected by stroke to get help from volunteers who have also been affected by it. Suj7'C‘f f paramount to recovery. If you or someone you know has had a stroke and you want information about stroke recovery, call the Stroke Connection “warmline” tollfree at 1-800-553-6321. Reinforcing its commitment to stroke, the American Heart Association established the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Hear Association devoted exclusively to stroke.

In 1997-98 the American Heart Association spent $57 million for research and education directly and indirectly related to strokemore than any other non-profit organization. It is second only to the federal government in funds allocated to research related to stroke. The American Heart Association, with more than 4 million volunteers, is dedicated to reducing disability and death from cardiovascular diseases and stroke. It spent about $312 million during fiscal year 1997-1998 for research support, public and professional education and community programs. Cardiovascular disease and stroke annually kill about 960,000 Americans. Stroke Factsheet ■ Stroke is the third leading cause of death of American women after diseases of the heart and cancer. It claims more than twice as many lives as breast cancer. Each year, over 8 percent of American females who dies are victims of stroke. ■ In the United States, women account from more than three r.f CVCI'Y five deaths from stroke. The number of women who die of stroke is increasing every year. ■ More than 1/4 of the people who have a stroke in a given year are under 65. ■ In the United States, about 2.2 million women are living with the consequences of stroke. ■ Risk factors for men and women are basically the same,

but there are additional risk factors that affect only women. For example, research has shown that low levels of HDL cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol) appear to be a stronger heart attack risk factor for women than for men. An increased risk of heart attack indirectly increases the risk of stroke. A woman’s risk of high blood pressure and stroke increases during pregnancy. ■ Scientists believe that estrogen, a hormone produced by a woman’s body, offers some protection against heart disease and stroke before menopause. Research has shown that estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may reduce the risk of heart attack for women after menopause by as much as 50 percent, compared with women not taking estrogen. B However, ERT and HRT do have risks. ERT raises the risk of endometrial or uterine cancer and conditions that lead to cancer in the lining of the uterus. Women are advised to ask their healthcare providers about these therapies. ■ Older birth control pills, "'■tl; h;v v, ^ r °f estrosen »■ c- — - w and progestin, increased a woman’s risk of heart disease and stroke. Newer, lowerdose oral contraceptives may not only pose less risk of cardiovascular disease—they may actually help protect against it. However, the effect of low-dose pills on the heart disease and stroke risk of women over 35 is not clear.

Ball State University professor calls for federal hate crimes law

Expanding federal hate crime laws to include offenses based on sexual orientation is long overdue, says a Ball State University hate crimes expert. Upgrading the federal laws on hate crimes would allow federal authorities to prosecute individuals at the federal level in states where hate crimes legislation is limited or

non-existent, said Bryan Byers, a criminal justice professor. It also would increase the chance that individual states would add or expand their own legislation, he said. More than 40 states have hate crimes laws but only 21 cover sexual orientation, while 22 cover gender and 21 cover disability.

One of the significant factors in hate crime legislation not being passed in some states, including Indiana, has been over the inclusion of gays and lesbians, Byers said. Such inclusion is not always seen as necessary, yet gays and lesbians are a victimized group needing such protection and inclusion within any hate

crime statute, at the federal or state levels. He said some states that have hate crime laws do not include sexual orientation as a protected class while some do. President Clinton’s hate crimes legislation died in committee in 1998 in the House and Senate. The initiative was reintroduced last

month by a bipartisan group of lawmakers. Under the bill, current law would be expanded so that the U.S. Justice Department could prosecute hate crimes based on a person’s sex, sexual orientation or disability. Now, .the statute (Tnfy covers crimes based on race, color, religion or national origin.