Published in Pawtucket Times on May 19, 2003

Even if Americans know about the negative impact of their lifestyle choices, that knowledge may not be enough to change their behaviors, especially those behaviors that lead to strokes.

According to a new survey released by the National Council on Aging (NCOA), Americans understand that those who have had a stroke are at a greater risk for a future one, ye stroke survivors are not taking all the possible steps to protect their health.

Strokes can result from a sudden interruption of blood flow to any part of the brain, which can ultimately injure or kill brain tissue.

Strokes can lead to severe impairments, including debilitation from paralysis, short-term memory loss and even speech and vision problems. About one-third of all strokes are recurrent, even though there are lifestyle changes and medications available today that can help to reduce that risk.

In this telephone survey, which was funded by a grant from Sanofi=Synthelabo and Bristol-Myers Squibb, 66 percent of the survey respondents said they knew someone who had suffered a stroke, but many of those who survived were not exercising regularly (32 percent), refraining from smoking (19 percent) or watching their diet (18 percent). These simple lifestyle changes are known to help prevent future strokes.

“Those who have already had a stroke can make changes to their everyday routines  to lower their risk for a second stroke or heart attack,” Mark Alberts, M.D., professor of neurology, at Northwestern University Medial School in Chicago, stated in a NCOA release.

“It is particularly important that stroke survivors and their families or caregivers work closely with their physicians to develop an individualized treatment plan, which will often include medication,”  says Alberts.

Along with the basic lifestyle changes, taking appropriate medications can also reduce the risk of recurrent strokes.

For instance, the researchers say many patients may benefit from antiplatelet therapy that prevents blood platelets from sticking together and clotting, helping to reduce stroke risks.

According to the NCOA study, after surviving a stroke, men have a 42 percent chance of having another within five years, and women a 24 percent chance during that same time period.

The general public seems to be confused regarding what stroke risks factors and symptoms are, the researchers found.

The NCOA survey findings indicate that many Americans incorrectly identified excessive stress (87 percent), overexertion while exercising (56 percent), dehydration (38 percent), asthma attacks (24 percent) and wearing constrictive clothing (16 percent) as risks factors for stroke.

Additionally, survey respondents also mistakenly selected shortness of breath (53 percent) and heart palpitations (50 percent) as stroke symptoms. Nearly two-thirds of those surveyed failed to recognize that age increases stroke risk, especially for those over age 65.

Although seniors are at the greatest risk of having a stroke, they seem to show little concern, researchers noted. While two-thirds of all strokes occur among those ages 65 and older, only 12 percent of those surveyed in that age group noted they are more concerned about suffering a stroke, given other choices like Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes.

A whopping 70 percent of the olde respondents told researchers they never talked to their doctors about stroke risk.

”For older Americans, strokes pose a significant health risk so it is alarming to us that so few seniors have discussed their personal risk for stroke with their doctors,” said James P. Firman. NCOA’s president and CEO. “Better education is clearly needed to help all Americans understand their risks of stroke to protect their health.”

Robert Marshall, Ph.D., who serves as assistant director of health at the state Department of Health, gave All About Seniors his thoughts about the NCOA research study.

He said strokes are the number-three killer in Rhode Island – in 2000, 964 Rhode Islanders age 50 and over died of stroke.

“We call these preventable deaths’ because we know that by reducing risk, such as smoking, obesity, lack of exercise, uncontrolled high blood pressure, many  people can avoid death and disability from stroke, adds Marshall.

“It is unfortunate, but not surprising, that so many strokes are recurrent,” said Marshall. “Human nature being what it is, many people find it difficult to change the behaviors that got them into trouble in the first place- things like smoking and lack of exercise,” he notes.

“We all need to do a better job supporting stroke survivors and helping them use the experience as a springboard to a longer healthier and happier life,” Marshall added.

Older Rhode Islanders can easily take charge of reducing their chances of having a stroke or a recurrent stroke.  Positive lifestyle changes (e.g., more exercise, a better diet, giving up cigarettes, and taking prescribed medications are key lifestyle changes to protecting your health.