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Age: Stroke age generally increases with the age. Majority of strokes occur in individuals 65 and older. However strokes can happen at any age. Increasing risk with age for strokes doubles roughly every decade after 55 years of age.

10 Year probability of experiencing a stroke within a 10 year period increases with age, rising from 7.2% for those aged 65-69 years of age.

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Although stroke risk increases after 55, many factors play a role in who has one. Learn about risks and prevention to reduce stroke risk.

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The FAST/BE FAST Acronym:

To help remember the signs of stroke, use the acronyms FAST or BE FAST:

F: ace drooping

A: rm weakness

S: peech difficulty

T: ime to call 911

B: alance problems

E: yes: Sudden vision changes

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You may need tests to determine how quickly your blood clots and whether your blood sugar levels are too high or low. You may also be tested to see if you have an infection.

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The interruption of blood flow to the left side of the brain causes paralysis on the right side of the body, speech/language problems, slow behavior, and problems with thinking and memory. The left side of the body will be impacted if the stroke happens on the right side of the brain, typically resulting in paralysis on the left side of the body, issues with vision, and spatial thinking and memory.

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CBT focuses on investigating the connections between feelings, thoughts, and actions by investigating the beliefs that motivate self-destructive behavior and the thought patterns that result in it. It helps stroke patients with their anxiety and depression symptoms. This form of rehabilitation can be facilitated with a psychologist, counselor, psychiatrist, and social worker.

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Many patients end up suffering of depression or anxiety after a stroke, and managing these levels of stress are very important as it can be impactful towards blood pressure and circulation. There are many effective stress management techniques that can greatly improve recovery outcomes such as mindfulness practices and social support. I believe the difficulty level would be a 6/10 as it's doable but maintaining them consistently without support can be challenging. A mental health counselor or clinical psychologist can administer this treatment.

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We decided to go with stroke, and the reason for this is because having a stroke is very common. Strokes affects hundreds of thousands of people in the United States alone each year. They are a leading cause of death and long-term disability.

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Ethnicity and race: Hispanic and African Americans are more at risk. African American and Hispanic, men and women experience higher rates of stroke compared to white adults. Reason for this is diet. African Americans and Hispanics have the highest blood pressure due to their diet and life styles.

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Sex Women tend to be older at the time of experiencing strokes, and they have a higher likelihood of succumbing to strokes than men. Each year, strokes claim the lives of more than twice as many women in the U.S. as breast cancer does.

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Mayo Clinic study indicates age has distinct influences on sex-related outcomes after heart attack - Mayo Clinic News Network

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ROCHESTER, Minn. — Approximately 1.5 million heart attacks and strokes occur every year in men and women in the U.S. Sex and age play a large part in who experiences a heart attack, the methods used to treat these heart attacks, and the eventual post hospital outcomes of the people who experience heart attacks. Mayo […]

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There are different types of strokes one of them being ischemic stroke. The majority of strokes (around 87%) are ischemic. A blood clot or a piece of plaque is typically the cause of the blockage in the brain.

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Another type of stroke is a hemorrhagic stroke, which can occur due to sudden bleeding. This can occur when an artery in or on top of the brain ruptures.

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Lifestyle factors such as smoking, poor diet, lack of exercise, and heavy alcohol use increase the risk of stroke. This can lead to high blood pressure and blocked arteries.

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Many stroke-related conditions, like high blood pressure or heart disease, can run in families. If someone in your immediate family has a stroke, your risk is higher.

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A cerebral artery stroke, also known as a brain stroke, occurs when blood flow to the Brain is interrupted, wither by a blocked artery (ischemic stroke) or a ruptured. artery (hemorrhagic stroke).

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The physiological process involved in a stroke is energy failure which is the decrease of oxygen supply and glucose that the brain needs; basically depleting the brain of oxygen.

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The middle cerebral artery (which branches off the internal carotid artery + supplies blood to large portions of the lateral cerebral cortex is responsible for motor, sensory and cognitive functions as well as speech/ language.) Blocked blood flow (ischemic stroke) can be caused by a clot or embolus that blocks the MCA, stopping flow to the brain. A ruptured vessel (hemorrhagic stroke) can occur where a rupture causes bleeding in the brain.

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One side of the face may droop or feel numb. Ask the person to smile and check for unevenness

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Weakness or numbness in one arm. Ask the person to raise both arms; if one arm drifts downward, it could indicate a stroke.

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Trouble speaking or understanding speech, slurred words, or difficulty finding the right words.

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A sudden, severe headache with no known cause.

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Arts-based therapy allows those recovering from a stroke to express themselves through music, dance, or visual arts like painting. The use of arts-based therapies is beneficial because it promotes whole-body and mind integration. It also requires people who have experienced a stroke to use their damaged limbs. Art therapy works particularly well for those who have trouble expressing themselves and communicating, which is frequently one of the problems people face following a stroke. This form of rehabilitation can be provided by a certified art therapist and music therapist.

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This is a less common test, but it gives a thorough image of the arteries in the brain and neck. A tiny, flexible tube known as a catheter is inserted through a small incision, typically in the groin. The tube is guided via the major arteries before entering the carotid or vertebral artery in the neck. Then, a dye is injected into the blood vessels to make the arteries visible on X-ray imaging.

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Speech and language problems after a stroke often occur due to damage in the brain areas responsible for communication. This can result in aphasia (difficulty understanding/producing language) or dysarthria (slurred/slow speech due to muscle weakness). These problems appear very suddenly after the stroke, making recovery different where some patients regain abilities quickly, and others experience long-term difficulties. Effective long-term management is vital because communication is essential for independence, relationships, and mental health.

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Bladder and bowel control problems can occur after a stroke when brain damage affects the nerves that regulate these functions leading to incontinence, constant urgency, or constipation. Symptoms may improve as the brain and body recover, however, some experience persistent problems due to muscle weakness. Managing this is very important for preventing medical complications and improving quality of life.

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After a stroke, many individuals experience difficulty with activities of daily living, such as basic tasks like bathing, dressing, eating, grooming, and even using the toilet. This is usually due to physical weakness, coordination problems, or cognitive impairments. Over time, some functions may improve with physical and speech therapy, however, progress depends on the location and severity of the stroke.

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A mechanical thrombectomy is a minimally invasive surgery using a catheter to physically remove the clot, which is typically performed in major stroke centers. It is most effective when done within the first 6-24 hours of symptom onset in selected patients. It's usually used in combination with tPA or when tPA is not appropriate in the situation.

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TPA is a powerful clot-dissolving drug that must be given within 3 to 4.5 hours after stroke symptoms start. This drug restores blood flow to the brain, minimizing brain damage, but it is not suitable for everyone.

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Occupational therapy helps regain independence by focusing on skills required for daily life activities like getting dressed, bathing, cooking, and managing simple tasks. It helps patients achieve independence in the long run, meaning it is a long-term form of rehab, which is delivered by an occupational therapist.

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Physical therapy on improving early mobility, functions, and motor skills recovery through exercises that help regain muscle strength and coordination. It’s crucial during the early months after a stroke, meaning it is short-term, and is delivered by a physical therapist.

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Mayo Clinic offers comprehensive physical rehabilitation programs for long-term stroke survivors, focusing on maximizing recovery and independence. The exact cost for physical therapy after a stroke at Mayo Clinic is not publicly available a varies based on individual patients needs and insurance coverage.

The costs for a rehab stay in a skilled nursing facility are as follows:

You usually pay nothing for days 1–20 in one benefit period, after the Part A deductible is met.

You pay a per-day charge set by Medicare for days 21–100 in a benefit period.

You pay 100 percent of the cost for day 101 and beyond in a benefit period.

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The cost of occupational therapy after a stroke can vary widely, but estimates range from a few thousand dollars for in patient rehab for occupational therapy . Roughly it covers 27,000 annually for outpatient services. At the Mayo Clinic with private insurance.

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The cost of speech therapy after a stroke can vary significantly, but generally ranges from $100 to $300 per session, or $1,600 to $9,000 for a complete program.

Hospital based treatments are more expensive due to the facility it ranges from $200 to $400 a session. MEDICARE Part B covers medically necessary speech therapy. Once the Part B deductible is met, Medicare typically pays 80% of the approved costs.

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Computed tomography is imaging technology that's used in emergencies to determine whether a stroke is caused by a blood clot or bleeding. This is a diagnosis plan as it allows for quick decision making when it comes to treatment. An MRI is also an imaging technology that provides more detailed images of the brain to detect small or deep strokes that CT scans misses. This method is also considered a diagnostic plan is it just allows for a deeper perspective at the condition. Both of these technologies are very high cost and allow for radiation exposure.

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Regular exercise improves cardiovascular health and reduces the risk of a second or third stroke. This exercise can be delivered through many different activities such as walking, swimming, or even supervised physical therapy. I believe that the difficulty rating would be 7/10 due to lack of motivation, physical limitations, and fear of falling making regular activity harder. A physical therapist would administer this treatment.

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There are smartwatches or home sensors that can detect when an individual falls, which is more likely in stroke survivors with mobility issues. Automatic alerting emergency services raise the chances of survival and better recovery. This is a prevention and treatment plan as it aids in reducing complications or delayed care after a stroke. There are also wearable blood pressure monitors that allow you to continuously track blood pressure and alert users / healthcare providers if readings are too high or low. This is also considered as a prevention plan as it encourages early intervention for high blood pressure. Some common drawback software both of these technologies is that they rely on batteries that need regular charging, which isn't always available, and sometimes producing false alerts / inaccurate readings.

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Speech, hearing, and cognitive rehabilitation are crucial for helping regain a lot of properties back . Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) provide tailored therapy to address language, speech, and cognitive impairments resulting from stroke.

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Compared to white people, African Americans are more likely to have a stroke, frequently at a younger age, and may also die from a stroke at a higher rate. They might have longer wait times in emergency rooms, less use of emergency medical services (EMS), and delays in diagnosis and treatment.

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Due to geographical constraints and longer travel times to hospitals, patients in rural locations may not have as much access to specialized stroke centers and cutting-edge treatments like intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular therapy. This might result in delays in accessing essential care, leading to greater in-hospital mortality rates compared to urban patients.

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Public Awareness Campaigns & Population-based Hypertension Screening and Management Programs

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Public Awareness Campaigns & Population-based Hypertension Screening and Management Programs

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The first public health intervention are Public awareness campaigns such as FAST (Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call emergency services) which aim to educate the individual and the public on how to recognize stroke symptoms and respond quickly. The potential barriers for implementation are that people may not act on symptoms due to denial, fear, or lack of urgency. Even when aware of FAST, some delay calling emergency services. The second public health intervention are population-based hypertension screening and management programs. These programs offer free or heavily discounted blood pressure checks, encourage community-based hypertension management (such as clinics, pharmacies, and mobile health units), aid in the early detection of high blood pressure, and encourage drug adherence and lifestyle modifications to the individual. The potential barrier is that there is limited healthcare access, especially in rural or low-income areas.

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Promotion of Healthy Diet and Physical Activity & Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Detection and Management

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Promotion of Healthy Diet and Physical Activity & Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Detection and Management

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Obesity, diabetes, and high cholesterol contribute to stroke risk. The promotion of healthy diet and physical activity provides the environment and the individual with nutrition labeling laws, school and workplace wellness programs, urban planning to promote walking/cycling, and public education on healthy eating. The implementation challenges are that unsafe neighborhoods may discourage physical activity and time and financial constraints limit the ability to engage in healthier lifestyles. The next type of public health measure is Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Detection and Management. AFib increases stroke risk due to blood clots forming in the heart. This public intervention offers screenings to older adults for irregular heartbeat, education for clinicians and patients, and promotes access to anticoagulants when needed. The potential implementation barriers are low public awareness of AFib and its link to stroke, underdiagnosis due to asymptomatic or intermittent episodes, and the cost of anticoagulants.

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Regular exercise significantly reduces the risk of stroke. Engaging in at least 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week, or 75 minutes of activity this can help lower stroke risk. It helps by improving cardiovascular health, managing risk, and promoting overall well-being. It can lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels, manage diabetes, and help maintain a healthy weight, all of which are crucial in reducing stroke risk.

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Focus on always burning up the same amount of calories you consume daily. This means being mindful of how many calories are in the foods you normally eat and how many are torched through your regular exercise routine. Your body needs certain nutrients to perform at its highest capacity. This means eating a variety of foods from all food groups, each of which offers its own types of nutrients. The American Stroke Association (ASA) offers valuable suggestions on what to eat to encourage a stroke-free lifestyle. According to the ASA, there are three main risk factors for stroke you can avoid through a healthy