Stroke/Heart Attack

Stroke

What is a stroke?

A stroke is a condition in which blood flow to the brain is interrupted. This is caused when a blood clot blocks an artery that supplies blood to the brain or when a blood vessel breaks in the brain. When blood flow to the brain is blocked, brain cells begin to die and brain damage occurs.

Risk factors:

High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Diabetes
Smoking
Overweight
Family history of strokes

Click here for more information on blood pressure

Click here for more information on cholesterol

Signs/Symptoms of a stroke:

Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arms or legs (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 headache with no known cause

Stroke Risk Scorecard

Prevention:

Prevent and control high blood pressure
Prevent and control diabetes
Do not smoke or use tobacco
Prevent and control high blood cholesterol
Maintain a healthy weight
Participate in regular physical activity
Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables
Reduce your intake of salt and saturated fat
Treat atrial fibrillation (irregular heart beat)

Heart Attack

What is a heart attack?

A heart attack occurs when there is a lack of blood flow to an area of the heart. This is usually caused by a block in an artery of the heart due to plaque build up. If blood flow is not restored to the heart, the section of the heart becomes damaged from lack of oxygen and begins to die.

Risk Factors:

Smoking
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Overweight and obesity
Physical inactivity
Diabetes (high blood sugar)
Age (men over 45 and women over 55)
Family history of coronary artery disease

Signs/Symptoms of a heart attack:

Chest pain. This can be uncomfortable pressure or squeezing in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back.
Shortness of breath
Pain in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach
Nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness or fainting
Anxiety

Prevention:

Low fat diet
Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables
Decrease your salt intake
Lose weight if overweight
Quit smoking
Be physically active
Receive treatment for high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes

What to do if you are having a heart attack:

Call 911 immediately
Take a nitroglycerin pill if your doctor has prescribed this type of medicine
If you do not have nitroglycerine, chew on one regular strength aspirin.
Only take an ambulance to the hospital.

BYU Screenings

Blood Pressure
Twice a year the Nursing students hold a free blood pressure screening for BYU Faculty and Staff. These screenings are walk-in only and no appointment is necessary. The specific dates and times of these screenings will be posted on the BYU Wellness website. They are usually held in January and September. Your blood pressure may also be measured any time using the blood pressure machines located at Human Resource Services (D-240 ASB), and Y-Be-Fit (124 RB). If you have any additional questions about the screenings please contact Vickie Anderson at 422-7559.

Cholesterol
The BYU Wellness Program offers free cholesterol screenings to BYU faculty, staff, and administration and their spouses twice a year, usually during the months of February and October. They are usually given in conjunction with the glucose and PSA screenings. There is no cost for employees covered by DMBA/Altius insurance. The cost of the screening to those who are not covered is $10.