Before I go any further take a moment and fill out this scorecard:
Done? Good, we'll get to what your results mean in a bit.
Too often we are quick to dismiss the possibility of a medical event affecting us because we “scored" really well on a test like this. No one absolutely NO ONE can be guaranteed that they are not going to have a stroke. Anyone no matter your age, race or sex can have a stroke. There are risk factors, some are listed above, that you can control and reduce your chances of suffering a stroke. The reality is that 80% of strokes are preventable. You can make lifestyle changes or many and others can be treated medically.
There are uncontrollable factors that you need to be aware of. These include being over the age of 55, being male, being African American, Hispanic or Asian/Pacific Islander, or having a family history of stroke or TIA (transient ischemic attack) just to name a few. The National Stroke Association has an Interactive Risk Factor Tool that explains 26 of the more common risk factors. Please go through all the slides as I guarantee you'll find something you didn't know as I did.
OK back to your score.
You should have 3 numbers, one for the red column, one for the yellow column and one for the green column. Compare those numbers to the Risk Scorecard Results:
Had I taken this test pre-stroke my numbers would have been: 2 0 6 So what do my scores mean? According to the chart I was at a low risk for having a stroke. It simply proves that anyone anywhere at any time can suffer a stroke.
BUT you CAN control the odds of it happening.
So please the next time you visit your doctor have a Stroke Conversation. Take with you not only the score from this Risk Assessment but also anything that caught your attention from the Risk Factor Tool.
I agree that prevention is wonderful except that the mantra has overshadowed the work that needs to be done to save all the brain cells caught in the neuronal cascade of death. Our stroke associations aren't focusing on that hard work.
ReplyDeleteDean
I disagree in that you can never educate enough people. With 80%of strokes being preventable education is our strongest tool. I do agree thaty more research needs to be done.
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