Stroke

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Causes

Signs/Symptoms

Care

Risks

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

If you are going to a special hospital or ""skilled nursing facility'' before going

• The care givers there will help you re-learn to dress and feed yourself, and use the toilet.

If you are going home

• You may need to put in special ramps and side rails in your home. This will help you get around the house safely.
• You may need to have physical, occupational, and speech therapy when you get home. Arrange your therapy sessions during the time of day when you are least tired.
• Work closely with the therapists. It is important to do the exercises they teach you.
• Always take your medicine as directed by your doctor. If you feel it is not helping, call your doctor. Do not quit taking it on your own.
• If you take aspirin regularly, continue taking it. Aspirin helps thin the blood so blood clots do not form. Do not take acetaminophen or ibuprofen instead.
• Have your blood pressure checked. You may want to buy a blood pressure cuff. Ask your doctor to show you or a family member how to use it.
• You may not be able to feel hot and cold things as well as you did before your stroke. To keep from burning yourself, test the water before bathing or washing your body.
• If you have other illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease, you need to keep them under control. Take medicines as directed. If you don't, you have a greater chance of having another stroke.
• Exercise daily. It helps make the heart stronger, lowers blood pressure, and keeps you healthy. If the exercise is too hard or too easy, call your doctor.
• Quit smoking. It harms the heart and lungs. If you are having trouble quitting, ask your doctor for help.
• Weighing too much can make the heart work harder. If you need to lose weight, ask your doctor about the best way of doing it.
• A diet low in fat, salt, and cholesterol is very important. It helps keep your heart healthy and strong. Ask your doctor what you should and should not eat.
• It may take time getting used to a new diet. Special cookbooks may help the cook in your family find new recipes.
• For more information about strokes, call the National Stroke Association at 1-800-STROKES.

Call Your Doctor If...

• During exercise, you have chest pain that doesn't go away with rest.
• You are having trouble with any of your therapy or exercises.
• You are getting pressure sores on your skin.
• You have a high temperature.
• Your blood pressure is high.

Seek Care Immediately If...

• You cannot speak, move part of your body, or see; if you have blurred vision; or if you become dizzy, confused, or unconscious. These are signs of a stroke. THIS IS AN EMERGENCY. Call 911 or 0 (operator) to get to the nearest hospital or clinic. Do not drive yourself!

IF YOU'RE HEADING FOR THE HOSPITAL...

What to Expect While You're There

• Taking Vital Signs: These include your temperature, blood pressure, pulse (counting your heartbeats), and respirations (counting your breaths). A stethoscope is used to listen to your heart and lungs. Your blood pressure is taken by wrapping a cuff around your arm.
• Pulse Oximeter: While you are getting oxygen, you may be hooked up to a pulse oximeter (ox-IM-ih-ter). This device is placed on your ear, finger, or toe and is connected to a machine that measures the oxygen in your blood.
• ECG: Also called a heart monitor, an electrocardiograph (e-LEK-tro-CAR-dee-o-graf), or EKG. The patches on your chest are hooked up to a TV-type screen or a small portable box (telemetry unit). This screen shows a tracing of each heartbeat. Your heart will be watched for signs of injury or damage that could be related to your illness.
• 12 Lead ECG: This test makes tracings from different parts of your heart. It can help your doctor decide whether there is a heart problem.
• Oxygen: Your body may need extra oxygen. It is given either by a mask or nasal prongs. Tell the doctor if the oxygen is drying out your nose or if the nasal prongs are bothersome.
• IV: A tube placed in your vein for giving medicine or liquids. It will be capped or have tubing connected to it.
• Ventilator (VENT-ih-lay-tor): A special machine used to help with breathing.
• ET Tube: This tube is placed in either the mouth or nose and passed into the windpipe. It is often hooked up to a breathing machine. You will not be able to talk.
• Breathing Treatments: A machine may be used to help you breathe in medicine. A doctor will help with these treatments. They are given to help open your airways so you can breathe more easily. At first you may need them frequently. As you get better, you may only need them when you are having trouble breathing.
• Medicine:
  • Heparin: Keeps the blood thin so no other clots can form. It is given in an IV.
  • Other Blood Thinners: These include aspirin and warfarin. They are given by mouth as a replacement for heparin. Like heparin, they keep the blood from forming clots.
  • Blood Pressure Medicine: Given for constant high blood pressure. At first it may be given in an IV, and later in a pill.
• Blood: Usually taken from a vein in your hand or from the bend in your elbow. Tests will be done on the blood.
• CT Scan: Also called a ""CAT'' scan, this is an x-ray using a computer. It is used to make pictures of your internal organs.
• Lumbar Puncture: Also called a spinal tap. Fluid is taken from your spine and sent for tests.
• EEG: Also called an electroencephalogram (e-LEK-tro-EN-sef-uh-lo-gram). This is a brain wave study.
• Chest X-ray: This is a picture of your lungs and heart. The care givers use it to see how your heart and lungs are handling the illness.
• Feedings: If you can't swallow well, you will be fed either by an IV or by a nasogastric (NG) tube placed into the stomach. When you are able to swallow, food will be given as liquids, then as soft food (mashed).
• Skin Care: If you can't move by yourself, you will be turned often by the care givers. A special mattress (egg crate or air mattress) will be put on your bed. This keeps you from getting bed sores.
• Foley Catheter: A tube put into the bladder. The bladder is the organ where urine is kept until you urinate. The catheter will be taken out when you can get up and use the bathroom on your own.
• Pressure Stockings: May be put on your legs. This keeps the blood from sitting in the legs for a long time and causing clots.
• Therapy: A Physical Therapist and an Occupational Therapist will exercise the arms, legs, and hands. They will also teach dressing and feeding skills, and how to use the toilet. A Speech Therapist may help you re-learn to speak.
• Wrist Restraints: May be used to keep your wrists close to the bed, so you don't pull out the ET tube.