May Is National Stroke Awareness Month

When was the last time you got your blood pressure checked? With the recent death of Luke Perry due to a stroke, many are wondering what the risk factors are for strokes and how they can be prevented. May is National Stroke Awareness Month and National High Blood Pressure Education Month. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and the American Stroke Association, along with many other groups, are encouraging people to monitor their blood pressure and to take steps to get active and lower their risk for having a stroke as well as other conditions. According to the National Institutes of Health, hypertension might even be linked to increased risk for dementia. Now is the time to educate yourself and others about the risk factors and preventative measures that can be taken to lower your blood pressure and reduce the chance of stroke.

First, it is important to define “stroke.” A stroke occurs when blood fails to circulate to the brain. There are two types of stroke: ischemic and hemorrhagic.  According to the Million Hearts initiative, stroke can happen to anyone at any age and is not just something the elderly should be concerned about. It is estimated that about 80% of strokes are preventable. This is why it is so imperative that people are aware of the risk factors. The CDC lists the risk factors for stroke in three parts: conditions, behavior and family history. Conditions are previous stroke, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and sickle cell disease. Behaviors considered risk factors are an unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, obesity, alcohol consumption, and tobacco use. Genetics and family history are important uncontrollable factors to be aware of, as well as race or ethnicity, age and sex.

What can you do to lower your blood pressure and lower your chances of having a stroke? The Mind Your Risks® campaign (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) is promoting the initiative to get active, eat healthier and, most importantly, start now! The earlier you start, the greater your chance of staying healthy at a later age. Monitor you blood pressure often, talk to your doctor about a plan to lower your blood pressure if needed, and keep up with your medications.  Avoid using tobacco and heavy consumption of alcohol.

Recognizing the signs of a stroke are just as important as taking preventative measures. Strokes can be treated and if you can recognize the symptoms, you could end up saving someone’s life. The acronym FAST makes it easy to respond to a potential stroke: face drooping, arm weakness, speech and time to call 9-1-1.

If you’d like to get involved on social media to show your support for high blood pressure education, the NHLBI has started a national pledge with the hashtag #MoveWithHeart. They are calling for people to post a picture of themselves being physically active with this hashtag. Lowering your blood pressure is just one of the many ways you can reduce your risk of having a stroke.

Mercer County Library branches are offering free blood pressure screenings and information tables during this month:

Lawrence Branch: Thursday, May 2, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Ewing Branch: Tuesday, May 14, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Hightstown Branch: Tuesday, May 14, 6:00pm - 7:00 pm
Robbinsville Branch: Thursday, May 16, 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Hickory Corner Branch: Tuesday, May 21, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Hopewell Branch: Wednesday, May 22, 10:00am - 12:00pm

We hope to see you at one of these events!

Below are some DVDs, books, eBooks and audiobooks in our collection that might inspire and educate you:
• Navigating the Complexities of Stroke BOOK
• Managing Hypertension: Tools to Improve Health and Prevent Complications BOOK
• High Blood Pressure HOOPLA eBOOK
• Blood Pressure Down HOOPLA Audiobook
• Healing the Broken Brain: Leading Experts Answer 100 Questions about Stroke Recovery BOOK
• High Blood Pressure Diet & Nutrition & Yoga for High Blood Pressure HOOPLA Television
• Understanding and Dealing with Stroke BOOK
• Qi Gong for High Blood Pressure DVD
• Yoga for Hypertension DVD

References & Links:
• https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/healthy_living.htm
• https://www.strokeassociation.org/
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/in-depth/high-blood-pressure/art-20046974
• https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/changes-you-can-make-to-manage-high-blood-pressure
• https://www.mindyourrisks.nih.gov/
• https://millionhearts.hhs.gov/about-million-hearts/index.html

- Isabel F., Ewing Branch