“Buerger disease is a rare disease of the arteries and veins in the arms and legs. In Buerger disease — also called thromboangiitis obliterans — blood vessels become blocked. This reduces blood flow to the affected areas. Blood clots may form in the blood vessels.

Over time, the lack of blood flow damages or destroys skin tissue. The damage can lead to infection and death of body tissue, called gangrene. Buerger disease is usually first seen in the feet. It may eventually affect the blood vessels of the hand.”

MAYO Clinic

This disease was first reported by Buerger in 1908, who described a disease in which the characteristic pathologic findings — acute inflammation and thrombosis (clotting) of arteries and veins — affected the hands and feet. Another name for Buerger’s Disease is thromboangiitis obliterans.

The classic Buerger’s Disease patient is a young male (e.g., 20–40 years old) who is a heavy cigarette smoker. More recently, however, a higher percentage of women and people over the age of 50 have been recognized to have this disease. Buerger’s disease is most common in the Orient, Southeast Asia, India and the Middle East, but appears to be rare among African–Americans.

Despite the severity of ischemia (lack of blood flow) to the distal extremities that occurs in Buerger’s, the disease does not involve other organs, unlike many other forms of vasculitis. Even as ulcers and gangrene develop in the digits, organs such as the lung, kidneys, brain, and gastrointestinal (GI) tract remain unaffected. The reasons for the confinement to the extremities and sparing of other organs are not known.

Cause for Buerger’s Disease:

The association of Buerger’s Disease is with tobacco use, particularly cigarette smoking, cannot be overemphasized. Most patients with Buerger’s are heavy smokers, but some cases occur in patients who smoke “moderately”; others have been reported in users of smokeless tobacco. It has been postulated that Buerger’s Disease is an “autoimmune” reaction (one in which the body’s immune system attacks the body’s own tissues) triggered by some constituent of tobacco.

The patient’s fingertips develope gangrene. This is a very painful condition which sometimes requires amputation of the affected area.

Buerger’s disease can be mimicked by a wide variety of other diseases that cause diminished blood flow to the extremities. These other disorders must be ruled out with an aggressive evaluation, because their treatments differ substantially from that of Buerger’s Disease (for Buerger’s, there is only one treatment known to be effective: complete smoking cessation — see below).

Diseases with which Buerger’s Disease may be confused include atherosclerosis (build–up of cholesterol plaques in the arteries), endocarditis (an infection of the lining of the heart), other types of vasculitis, severe Raynaud’s phenomenon associated with connective tissue disorders (e.g., lupus or scleroderma), clotting disorders of the blood, and others.

It should be noted that other substances, such as marijuana, have also been associated with a vasculitis similar to Buerger’s or polyarteritis nodosa that should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Angiograms of the upper and lower extremities can be hel

How is Buerger’s diagnosed?

Buerger’s disease can be mimicked by a wide variety of other diseases that cause diminished blood flow to the extremities. These other disorders must be ruled out with an aggressive evaluation, because their treatments differ substantially from that of Buerger’s Disease (for Buerger’s, there is only one treatment known to be effective: complete smoking cessation — see below).

Diseases with which Buerger’s Disease may be confused include atherosclerosis (build–up of cholesterol plaques in the arteries), endocarditis (an infection of the lining of the heart), other types of vasculitis, severe Raynaud’s phenomenon associated with connective tissue disorders (e.g., lupus or scleroderma), clotting disorders of the blood, and others.

It should be noted that other substances, such as marijuana, have also been associated with a vasculitis similar to Buerger’s or polyarteritis nodosa that should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Angiograms of the upper and lower extremities can be helpful in making the diagnosis of Buerger’s disease. In the proper clinical setting, certain angiographic findings are diagnostic of Buerger’s. These findings include a “corkscrew” appearance of arteries that result from vascular damage, particularly the arteries in the region of the wrists and ankles. Angiograms may also show occlusions (blockages) or stenoses (narrowings) in multiple areas of both the arms and legs.

Pictured below on the left is a normal angiogram. On the right, is an abnormal angiogram of an arm demonstrating the classic “corkscrew” appearance of arteries to the hand. The changes are particularly apparent in the blood vessels in the lower right hand portion of the picture (the ulnar artery distribution).

In order to rule out other forms of vasculitis (by excluding involvement of vascular regions atypical for Buerger’s), it is sometimes necessary to perform angiograms of other body regions (e.g., a mesenteric angiogram).

Skin biopsies of affected extremities are rarely performed because of the frequent concern that a biopsy site near an area poorly perfused with blood will not heal well.

Treatment and Course of Buerger’s

It is essential that patients with Buerger’s disease stop smoking immediately and completely. This is the only treatment known to be effective in Buerger’s disease. Patients who continue to smoke are generally the ones who require amputation of fingers and toes.

Despite the clear presence of inflammation in this disorder, anti-inflammatory agents such as steroids have not been shown to be beneficial. Similarly, strategies of anticoagulation (thinning of the blood with aspirin or other agents to prevent clots) have not proven effective. The only way to prevent the progression of the disease is to abstain from all tobacco products.

” In 2022, stroke accounted for approximately 1 of every 20 deaths in the United States.
• On average in 2022, someone died of stroke every 3 minutes 11 seconds in the United
States.
• Stroke caused 165 393 deaths in the United States in 2022.
• In 2022, the age-adjusted US stroke death rate as an underlying cause of death was 39.5
per 100 000, an increase of 7.0% from 36.9 per 100 000 in 2012, and the actual number
of stroke deaths increased 28.7% during the same time period.
• In 2021, there were 7.25 million deaths attributable to stroke worldwide (3.59 million
deaths from ischemic stroke, 3.31 million deaths from intracerebral hemorrhage, and
0.35 million from subarachnoid hemorrhage).
• Age-standardized mortality due to stroke amongst regions was highest for Oceania and
southeast Asia. Rates were lowest for Australasia and western Europe. Age-standardized
mortality due to ischemic stroke amongst regions was highest for eastern Europe,
followed by north Africa and the Middle East and central Asia. Mortality was lowest for
Australasia. Amongst regions, intracerebral hemorrhage mortality was highest for
Oceania, followed by southeast and east Asia and central and eastern sub-Saharan
Africa. Amongst regions, mortality estimated for subarachnoid hemorrhage was highest
for Oceania followed by southeast Asia and Andean Latin America.”

American Heart Association (American Stroke Month | American Stroke Association)

A.) TREATMENT OF STROKES

If you’re having a stroke, it’s critical that you get medical attention right away. Immediate treatment may minimize the long-term effects of a stroke and prevent death.

Ischemic Stroke Treatment

1.)tPA, the Gold Standard

The only FDA approved treatment for ischemic strokes is tissue plasminogen activator (tPA, also known as IV rtPA, given through an IV in the arm). tPA works by dissolving the clot and improving blood flow to the part of the brain being deprived of blood flow. If administered within 3 hours(and up to 4.5 hours in certain eligible patients), tPA may improve the chances of recovering from a stroke. A significant number of stroke victims don’t get to the hospital in time for tPA treatment; this is why it’s so important to identify a stroke immediately.

2.)Endovascular Procedures

Another treatment option is an endovascular procedure* called mechanical thrombectomy, strongly recommended, in which  trained doctors try  removing a large blood clot by  sending a wired-caged device called a stent retriever, to the site of the blocked blood vessel in the brain. To remove the brain clot, doctors thread a catheter through an artery in the groin up to the blocked artery in the brain. The stent opens and grabs the clot, allowing doctors to remove the stent with the trapped clot. Special suction tubes may also be used. The procedure should be done within six hours of acute stroke symptoms, and only after a patient receives tPA.   *Note: Patients must meet certain criteria to be eligible for this procedure. Image courtesy of Medtronic

Hemorrhagic Stroke Treatment

1.)Endovascular Procedures Endovascular procedures may be used to treat certain hemorrhagic strokes similar to the way the procedure is used for treating an ischemic stroke. These procedures are less invasive than surgical treatments, and involve the use of a catheter introduced through a major artery in the leg or arm, then guided to the aneurysm or AVM; it then deposits a mechanical agent, such as a coil, to prevent rupture.

2.)Surgical Treatment For strokes caused by a bleed within the brain (hemorrhagic stroke), or by an abnormal tangle of blood vessels (AVM), surgical treatment may be done to stop the bleeding. If the bleed is caused by a ruptured aneurysm (swelling of the vessel that breaks), a metal clip may be placed surgically at the base of the aneurysm to secure it.

B.) How to prevent a stroke!

Treatment is also aimed at other factors that put you at risk, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. But it takes more than just your doctor’s efforts. You also have an important role to play in preventing stroke. It’s up to you to make lifestyle changes that can lower your risk.

What you can do to prevent a stroke:

1-Control your blood pressure.

2-Lose Weight to the point that your in a healthy weight for your height. If you’re overweight, losing as little as 10 pounds can have a real impact on your stroke risk.      Try to eat no more than 1,500 to 2,000 calories a day (depending on your activity level and your current body mass index). Increase the amount of exercise you do with such activities as walking, golfing, or playing tennis, and by making activity part of every single day.

3-Exercise More-Exercise contributes to losing weight and lowering blood pressure, but it also stands on its own as an independent stroke reducer. Exercise at a moderate intensity 5x/wk and if you can’t do ½ hr as day spread it out into 2 15minute exercise moments for the day.

4- Drink-in moderation What you’ve heard is true. Drinking can make you less likely to have a stroke—up to a point. “Studies show that if you have about one drink per day, your risk may be lower. I am not saying drink one glass of liquor a day but if you have to limit it to one glass a day. Red wine your first choice, because it contains resveratrol, which is thought to protect the heart and brain.

5-Atrial Fibrillation-Atrial fibrillation is a form of irregular heartbeat that causes clots to form in the heart. Those clots can then travel to the brain, producing a stroke. “Atrial fibrillation carries almost a fivefold risk of stroke, and should be taken seriously; take your anticoagulant medication the MD orders to keep the blood thin to prevent clotting.

6-Treat diabetes –Having high blood sugar over time damages blood vessels, making clots more likely to form inside them putting the person at higher risk for a stroke. So simply keep your sugar under control.

7-QUIT Smoking-Along with a healthy diet and regular exercise, smoking cessation is one of the most powerful lifestyle changes that will help you reduce your stroke risk

“A stroke is a medical emergency that happens when something prevents your brain from getting enough blood flow=lack of 02 to the brain. A blocked blood vessel or bleeding in your brain can cause strokes.  They can be fatal and need immediate treatment. Call 911 or your local emergency services number right away if you think you or someone you’re with is having a stroke.  Strokes are the second leading cause of death worldwide and the fifth most common in the U.S.  The sooner someone is diagnosed and treated, the more likely it is they’ll survive a stroke. Every second counts!”

Cleveland Clinic (Stroke: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment)

Signs and Symptoms of a stroke happening:

Symptoms of stroke include trouble walking, speaking, and understanding, as well as paralysis or numbness of the face, arm, or leg.

People may experience the following:                                                                      

Muscular: difficulty walking, paralysis with weak muscles, problems with coordination, stiff muscles, overactive reflexes, or paralysis of one side of the body

Visual: blurred vision, double vision, sudden visual loss, or temporary loss of vision in one eye

Whole body: balance disorder, fatigue, or lightheadedness

Speech: difficulty speaking, slurred speech, or speech loss

Sensory: pins and needles or reduced sensation of touch

Facial: muscle weakness or numbness

Limbs: numbness or weakness

Also common: difficulty swallowing, headache, inability to understand, mental confusion, numbness, or rapid involuntary eye movement

What is done for a stroke regarding diagnostic tooling:

 To determine the most appropriate treatment for your stroke, your emergency team needs to evaluate the type of stroke you’re having and the areas of your brain affected by the stroke. They also need to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms, such as a brain tumor or a drug reaction. Your doctor may use several tests to determine your risk of stroke, including:

CT scan of brain tissue damaged by stroke

Cerebral angiogram A cerebral angiogram showing a carotid aneurysm due to a stroke.

Physical examination. Your doctor will ask you or a family member what symptoms you’ve been having, when they started and what you were doing when they began. Your doctor then will evaluate whether these symptoms are still present.

Your doctor will want to know what medications you take and whether you have experienced any head injuries. You’ll be asked about your personal and family history of heart disease, transient ischemic attack or stroke.

Your doctor will check your blood pressure and use a stethoscope to listen to your heart and to listen for a whooshing sound (bruit) over your neck (carotid) arteries, which may indicate atherosclerosis. Your doctor may also use an ophthalmoscope to check for signs of tiny cholesterol crystals or clots in the blood vessels at the back of your eyes.

Blood tests. You may have several blood tests, which tell your care team how fast your blood clots, whether your blood sugar is abnormally high or low, whether critical blood chemicals are out of balance, or whether you may have an infection. Managing your blood’s clotting time and levels of sugar and other key chemicals will be part of your stroke care.

Computerized tomography (CT) scan. A CT scan uses a series of X-rays to create a detailed image of your brain. A CT scan can show a hemorrhage, tumor, stroke and other conditions. Doctors may inject a dye into your bloodstream to view your blood vessels in your neck and brain in greater detail (computerized tomography angiography).  The goal is if the CT scan determined the stroke to be a ischemic stroke start rtpa a drug IV if the symptoms of the stroke started in the past 3 hrs if not treat it another way OR if the stroke is determined to be hemorrhagic than its the OR.  Will go into treatment in more detail in Part III tomorrow.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An MRI uses powerful radio waves and magnets to create a detailed view of your brain. An MRI can detect brain tissue damaged by an ischemic stroke and brain hemorrhages. Your doctor may inject a dye into a blood vessel to view the arteries and veins and highlight blood flow (magnetic resonance angiography, or magnetic resonance venography).

Carotid ultrasound. In this test, sound waves create detailed images of the inside of the carotid arteries in your neck. This test shows buildup of fatty deposits (plaques) and blood flow in your carotid arteries.

Cerebral angiogram. In this test, your doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube (catheter) through a small incision, usually in your groin, and guides it through your major arteries and into your carotid or vertebral artery. Then your doctor injects a dye into your blood vessels to make them visible under X-ray imaging. This procedure gives a detailed view of arteries in your brain and neck.

Echocardiogram. An echocardiogram uses sound waves to create detailed images of your heart. An echocardiogram can find a source of clots in your heart that may have traveled from your heart to your brain and caused your stroke.

You may have a transesophageal echocardiogram. In this test, your doctor inserts a flexible tube with a small device (transducer) attached into your throat and down into the tube that connects the back of your mouth to your stomach (esophagus). Because your esophagus is directly behind your heart, a transesophageal echocardiogram can create clear, detailed ultrasound images of your heart and any blood clots.

In reality going to an ER room if the pt comes suspected of a stroke and has symptoms or not than nationally in America the hospitals are to do the following:

-A neuro assessment should be done in 10 minutes  by the doctor.

-A CT SCAN ordered and pt sent off for the CT SCAN test and done within 25 minutes.

-The CT SCAN read and interpreted by the radiologist / neuro doctor within 45 minutes.                        At this point it tells the MD if the pt has a blockage or a hemmorage in the brain that caused the stroke. Remember a ischemic stroke and hemmoragic stroke are treated differently.

We’ll get into treatment tomorrow in Part III Treatment of a stroke.

“93,000 + Americans will be diagnosed with a primary brain tumor diagnosis in 2025 (An estimated 24,80o new primary malignant brain tumors (brain cancer) will be diagnosed in 2025 in this amount.); 35.7 percent is the five-year survival rate for patients with malignant brain tumors and 18, 330 Americans will die from a malignant brain tumor in 2025.  73% of all brain tumors are benign and approximately 27% are malignant.”

National Brain Tumor Society (NBTS) – Brain Tumor Awareness Month

May is Brain Cancer and Brain Tumor Awareness Month (BTAM), a time to raise awareness about brain tumors and educate the community.

Doctors will diagnose cancers of the brain or central nervous system in about 25,400 people in the United States in 2024, according to the National Cancer Institute. All brain and spine tumors, collectively called central nervous system (CNS) tumors cover over 130 different CNS tumor types. These cancers make up a portion of the more than 94,000 brain tumors alone (including benign tumors) that will occur in this country in 2024.

It can be hard for people with CNS tumors to find accurate information, specialized support, and expert care. You can help by spreading awareness and sharing educational materials like through blogs live striveforgoodhealth.com and other sites in the internet.

There are many types of brain and spinal cord tumors. The tumors result from the abnormal growth of cells and may be either benign or malignant. Benign brain and spinal cord tumors grow and press on nearby areas of the brain. Normally, they rarely spread into other tissues; the brain tumors that are diagnosed malignant rapidly spread only in brain tissue and remember when your a fetus the brain develops that the spinal cord grows out of made of brain tissue so spreading can go in those 2 areas.  A brain tumor malignant can form in the brain or other parts of the central nervous system (CNS), being the spine or cranial nerves. So remember, Malignant tumors in the brain and spinal cord only grow quickly spreading only into the brain and (CNS) spinal cord tissue.  The positive note is the tumor stays in those areas but unfortunately it spreads rapidly for most brain tumors.  Survival in a brain tumor especially malignant is a survival rate of 5 years or less but there are those cases that have lasted longer but on average its 5 years or less and this would include a benign tumor not operable but it is suppose to grow slower than a malignant tumor.  Malignant brain tumors need to be treated as soon as possible to prolong life.

Tumor grading:

Tumor grade has long been a way to define the aggressiveness of a tumor, particularly for malignant brain tumors such as glioma but also for non-malignant (benign) brain tumors including meningioma.

Traditionally, tumors have been classified as grade 1 to 4 based on histology (cells as viewed under a microscope) and molecular markers. Grade 1 tumors occur primarily in children and represent a type separate from grade 2-4 (seen primarily in adults). Grade 2 tumors are considered low grade, but some can be aggressive. Grade 3 and 4 tumors are defined as high grade.

What are molecular markers?

Not all brain tumors are the same. Some tumors have differences in the genetic or molecular makeup of the cells. These differences are called molecular markers, or biomarkers. Molecular markers are becoming increasingly important for brain tumor diagnosis and treatment. For example, some molecular markers help determine how aggressive a tumor may be. Others determine how responsive a tumor will be to treatment.

Some common molecular markers include the following:

• IDH1 and IDH2
• MGMT
• 1p/19q co-deletion
• BRAF
• EGFR
• TP53
• ATRX
• TERT
• PTEN
• NTRK
• FGFR

In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) included two molecular markers into the CNS tumor classification system that improved accuracy of glioma diagnosis. In 2021 WHO again updated CNS tumor classification, incorporating new knowledge gained from additional molecular markers and new diagnostic techniques. Tumors are now listed as “CNS grade 1-4” with presence or absence of IDH mutation, a key factor in glioma classification.

Basis Review of Brain & the CNS with how it functions:

The brain and spinal cord together form the central nervous system (CNS), like we said in knowing this the brain is a complex organ made up of nerves and connective tissue. Nerves in the brain and spinal cord transmit messages throughout the body. The CNS directs and regulates all of the body’s functions. The brain tumor can definitely mess up a lot of these functions depending on where the tumor is located since the brain is broken up in lobes to do different functions that is what causes the wide signs and symptoms of dysfunctions that occur in time with a brain tumor especially that is metastatic.

The CNS is the core of our existence. It controls:

> Personality: thoughts, memory, intelligence, speech, understanding and emotions

> Senses: vision, hearing, taste, smell and touch

> Basic body functions: breathing, heartbeat and blood pressure

> How we function in our environment: movement, balance and coordination

The brain is made up of multiple parts, and each part of the brain is responsible for different body functions. Therefore, brain tumor symptoms, and potential treatment options, depend a great deal on where the tumor is located.

Learning about the normal workings of the brain and spine will help you understand the symptoms of brain tumors, how they are diagnosed and how they are treated.

Major parts of the brain: There are three major parts of the brain:

1. Cerebrum: uses information from senses to tell our body how to respond. It controls reading, thinking, learning, movement, speech, vision, personality and emotions.

2. Cerebellum: controls balance for standing, walking and other motion.

3. Brain stem: connects the brain with the spinal cord and controls basic body functions such as breathing, sleeping, body temperature and blood pressure.

Lobes of the brain

Different lobes of the brain control different functions. The frontal lobe of the brain helps you think and reason. The temporal lobe contains the neural pathways for hearing and vision, as well as behavior and emotions. Having a tumor, or treatment, in one of these lobes could affect the lobe’s specific functions. Additionally, since the brain has areas that connect, it is possible for a brain tumor to impact a function of the brain where the tumor is not specifically located.

Other common brain tumor locations include the meninges (a layer of tissue that covers the brain and spinal cord), skull base (the bottom of the skull), spinal cord, pituitary tumor, and cranial nerves.

Brain tumor statistics:

Brain tumors are reported in people of all ages, races, ethnicities, and genders. Over 1.3 million Americans are living with a primary or secondary/metastatic brain tumor today.  Primary tumors originate in the brain, and the most common types are meningiomas, pituitary tumors, and gliomas. Metastatic, or secondary brain tumors arise from outside the brain in another organ such as the breast or lung and spread to other areas of the brain. These are the most common brain tumors.

Unless otherwise specified, the follow statistics come from the Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States Annual Report:

• Approximately 90,000 people are diagnosed with a primary brain tumor every year.   
• Brain and other CNS tumors are the fifth most common cancer. 
• Over 1 million people are living with a diagnosis of a primary brain tumor. 
• There are more than 100 different types of primary brain and CNS tumors. 
• Nearly one-third (27.9 percent) of brain and central nervous system (CNS) tumors are malignant. 
• Brain and CNS tumors are the most common cancer diagnosed in children aged 0-14. 
• More than 28,000 children in the United States are currently diagnosed with a brain tumor. 
• Approximately 3,400 children (aged 0-14) are diagnosed with a primary brain tumor each year. 
• Approximately 12,800 adolescents and young adults (aged 15-39) are diagnosed with a primary brain tumor each year. 
• The incidence rate for brain and CNS tumors is highest among those aged 85 years and older. 
• Each year, approximately 17,200 people die from a malignant brain tumor. Survival after diagnosis with a primary brain tumor varies significantly by age, race, geographical location, tumor type, tumor location, and molecular markers. 

Risk Factors for Brain Tumors:

Genetic and hereditary risk factors

Inherited traits are carried in genes. Each individual has two copies of each gene, one from each parent. Genes often contain small changes. Sometimes these changes do not cause any problems, but sometimes these changes are more serious and can interfere with the way the gene is supposed to work.

There are a few rare, inherited genetic syndromes that are associated with brain tumors., including Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1 gene), Neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2 gene), Turcot syndrome (APC gene), Gorlin syndrome (PTCH gene), Tuberous Sclerosis (TSC1 and TSC2 genes) and Li-Fraumeni syndrome (TP53 gene).

Although 5-10% of persons with brain tumors have a family history of a brain tumor, the vast majority of CNS tumors appear not to be a part of inherited genetic syndromes.  A number of studies have identified genetic variants that may be associated with an increased risk of certain brain tumors including glioma and meningioma.  Study results from 2017 show that while there are some hereditary similarities in glioma tumors between family members, there is not a statistically significant difference between families having tumors with similar hereditary features as compared to families with tumors having different hereditary features. Also, in families with more than one glioma, the tumors tend to have the same molecular markers. This study continues to collect and analyze data.

Environmental risk factors:

Other than family history, the most consistently identified risk factor associated with brain tumor development is therapeutic or high-dose ionizing radiation.  With regard to medical diagnostic radiation exposure, small increases in brain tumor risks have been reported.  Although certain brain scans and radiation therapy used to treat brain tumors use ionizing radiation, the risk of developing a new brain tumor due to these causes is very low. Occupational exposures among medical radiation workers have been associated with approximately twice the risk of brain cancer mortality, though data on the level of radiation exposure were not available.

With respect to the impact of non-ionizing radiation from cell phones, the association between this exposure and brain cancer has been the subject of much research. Radio frequency fields were classified by the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer in 2011 as a possible carcinogen following the observation of increased glioma risk among heavy cell phone users: the topic remains under study at present.

Industrial chemicals have long been suspected as a cause of glioma due to their ability to cross the blood–brain barrier.  The blood-brain barrier that the human brain has protects the brain from toxins and pathogens. Despite numerous chemical, environmental, and occupational exposures having been explored in epidemiological studies of glioma, results have been inconsistent for most factors. Although not precisely defined, an association between exogenous hormones (e.g., oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapies) and meningioma risk is often reported and thus patients might discuss this topic with their health care providers.

“What can you do to prevent stroke? Age makes us more susceptible to having a stroke, as does having a mother, father, or other close relative who has had a stroke.

You can’t reverse the years or change your family history, but there are many other stroke risk factors that you can control—provided that you’re aware of them. Knowledge is power. If you know that a particular risk factor is sabotaging your health and predisposing you to a higher risk of stroke, you can take steps to alleviate the effects of that risk.  To prevent a stroke in your control is the following:

1-Control you B/P in therapeutic range.  An ideal goal is maintaining a blood pressure of less than 120/80. But there may be good reasons why you and your doctor will not want your readings to be this low. For some, a less aggressive goal (such as no higher than 140/90) may be more appropriate.

2-Obesity, as well as the complications linked to it (including high blood pressure and diabetes), raises your odds of having a stroke. If you’re overweight, losing as little as 10 pounds can have a real impact on your stroke risk.  While an ideal body mass index (BMI) is 25 or less, that may not be realistic for you. Work with your doctor to create a personal weight loss strategy.

3-Exercise contributes to losing weight and lowering blood pressure, but it also stands on its own as an independent stroke reducer.

Your goal: Exercise at a moderate intensity at least five days a week.

How to achieve it:

• Take a walk around your neighborhood every morning after breakfast.
• Start a fitness club with friends.
• When you exercise, reach the level at which you’re breathing hard, but you can still talk.
• Take the stairs instead of an elevator when you can.
• If you don’t have 30 consecutive minutes to exercise, break it up into 10- to 15-minute sessions a few times each day.

Harvard Health Publishing / Harvard Medical School (7 things you can do to prevent a stroke – Harvard Health)

Statistics to know about strokes:

Stroke was the third leading cause of death in the United States. Presently the CDC says under its statistics that Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death for Americans, but the risk of having a stroke varies with many factors.  Remember strokes have declined since 2003 based on CDC risk factors now compared to risk factors CDC listed in 2014.

More than 140,000 people die each year from stroke in the United States, that’s 1 out of every 20 deaths now.

Stroke costs the United States an estimated $34 billion each year.  This total includes the cost of health care services, medicines to treat stroke, and missed days of work.

Stroke is the leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States. Each year, approximately 795,000 people suffer a stroke.

About 600,000 of these are first attacks, and 185,000 are recurrent attacks. Nearly three-quarters of all strokes occur in people over the age of 65.  Stroke reduces mobility in more than half of stroke survivors age 65 and over.

The risk of having a stroke more than doubles each decade after the age of 55.

Strokes can & do occur at ANY age. Nearly one fourth of strokes occur in people under the age of 65.  Stroke risk increases with age, but strokes can—and do—occur at any age.

In 2009, 34% of people hospitalized for stroke were less than 65 years old.

Stroke death rates are higher for African-Americans than for whites, even at younger ages.

On average, someone in the United States has a stroke every 40 seconds.

Stroke accounted for about one of every 17 deaths in the United States in 2006. Stroke mortality for 2005 was 137,000.

From 1995–2005, the stroke death rate fell ~30 percent and the actual number of stroke deaths declined ~14 percent.  It still has declined from 2005 by CDC statistics which is good.

While stroke death rates have declined for decades among all race/ethnicities, Hispanics have seen an increase in death rates since 2013.

What is a Stroke?

A Stroke is a disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. It is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States.  A stroke occurs when a blood vessel which carry oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts (or ruptures). When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood (and oxygen) it needs, so this in the end causes brain cells to die.

There is a stroke noted as a mini stroke which is a transient (temporary) ischemic attack= TIA, which we went over last Friday.  If you want to review it go right ahead, its listed under 5/08/2020 article.  A TIA is different than  strokes.  First some call it a mini stroke but remember the symptoms of a TIA are similar to stroke symptoms listed below for actual strokes; the difference for the patient is that they are completely reversible.  Take angina for example, in this case the pt has the heart affected but the symptoms are completely reversible, just a different organ.  The organs (the heart for angina and the brain for TIA) are simply having the symptoms of an infarction of the organ that is involved but both are due to lack of 0xygen, called ischemia.

Getting back to actual strokes lets review types of strokes.

There are 2 types of strokes:

Ischemic Stroke which are strokes that occur through an obstruction of blood flow by a clot called a thrombus.

Hemorrhagic stroke by a blood vessel rupturing and preventing blood flow to the brain.

In the case of a stroke its a infarction to the brain due to lack of oxygen to the organ we call the brain, only the symptoms are not reversible but they can decrease in the intensity of the damage the caused in time with treatment (PT and OT) in time.  For some the symptoms are almost completely gone, again it depends on the intensity of the stroke to the brain, how bad was it with the symptoms it caused.

What are the risk factors for a stroke?

Non modiafiable risks meaning you can’t change them are:

–Age:  Stroke occurs in all age groups.  Studies show the risk of stroke doubles for each decade between the ages of 55 and 85.  But strokes also can occur in childhood or adolescence.  Although stroke is often considered a disease of aging, the risk of stroke in childhood is actually highest during the perinatal period, which encompasses the last few months of fetal life and the first few weeks after birth.

-Gender:  Men have a higher risk for stroke, but more women die from stroke.  Men generally do not live as long as women, so men are usually younger when they have their strokes and therefore have a higher rate of survival.

-Race:  People from certain ethnic groups have a higher risk of stroke.  For African Americans, stroke is more common and more deadly—even in young and middle-aged adults—than for any ethnic or other racial group in the United States.  Studies show that the age-adjusted incidence of stroke is about twice as high in African Americans and Hispanic Americans as in Caucasians.  An important risk factor for African-Americans is sickle cell disease, which can cause a narrowing of arteries and disrupt blood flow. The incidence of the various stroke subtypes also varies considerably in different ethnic groups.

–Family history of stroke:  Stroke seems to run in some families.  Several factors may contribute to familial stroke.  Members of a family might have a genetic tendency for stroke risk factors, such as an inherited predisposition for high blood pressure (hypertension) or diabetes.  The influence of a common lifestyle among family members also could contribute to familial stroke.

Modiafiable Risk Factors meaning you CAN change them:

–High Blood Pressure (hypertension)

RX: DIET & EXERCISE & MEDS that a MD would decide.

–High Cholesterol

RX: DIET and if necessary MEDS that a MD would decide.

–Diabetes Mellitus

RX: DIET & EXERCISE & MEDS that a MD would decide.

–Cigarette Smoking

RX: QUIT

–Carotid Artery Disease

RX: DIET & EXERCISE & MEDS  even possible SURGERY that a MD would decide.

–Atrial Fibrillation

RX: DIET & EXERCISE & MEDS even possible SURGERY that a MD would decide.

–Unhealthy Diet   RX: DIET

–Physical Inactivity and Obesity

RX: DIET & EXERCISE & possibly even MEDS that a MD would decide.

Go to your DOCTOR before doing any program and let your MD tell you what type of a program would be best for you especially if you are diagnosed with disease (EX. Diabetes, Cardiac, etc…).