Stroke risk
Channel your inner Scout and be prepared
We know, we know – oh yay, another depressing “getting old” topic. Wow, thanks, as if less daylight and the Accelerating Trainwreck of the Holidays wasn’t enough right now.
Okay, that’s real, but indulge us in a wee moment of knowledge for friends and family in their 70s and older. The risk of stroke increases massively after 65 so we want to be informed for them. Not for us. Don’t be silly. We’re going to live forever.
Let’s start with amazing and unexpected news: new stroke prevention guidelines came out that specifically addressed non-dude stroke risk. We thought it was an April Fool’s prank, too. Actual research and recommendations for people with uteruses?!? It’s enough of a surprise to give you a – well, nevermind. The big takeaway was to alert people to increased risk if you:
take oral contraceptives or hormone therapy
had hypertension during pregnancy
have chronic conditions like diabetes and endometriosis
have early onset menopause
Quick dive into that pregnancy one because a few months ago, another sparkly new study connected complicated pregnancies (preeclampsia, preterm birth, gestational diabetes, miscarriage and stillbirth) with a doubling of risk for having a stroke before 50. Researchers weren’t able to adjust for all other risk factors so it’s not like it’s a guarantee or anything… but definitely something to pay attention to.
Shameless Action
Besides the pregnancy-specific risks listed above, the biggest stroke risk factor is high blood pressure. Do all the usual things to manage this: exercise, get good quality sleep, eat healthy, talk to your doctor. And acknowledge the stressors in your life that raise blood pressure. This is your permission to smash traumatizing Hummel figurines or say no to a holiday bake sale.
This is the biggest takeaway. (No, not the Hummel smashing.) Whatever risk factors you might have that are beyond your control (how a pregnancy went, when you started perimenopause), there is always something in your control to lower your overall risk. Grab it by the short and curlies and do it.
Now for your superhero save-the-day action. Memorize the BEFAST acronym so you can act quickly to determine if someone is having a stroke. It’s the new cool kid Stop, Drop and Roll.
Balance
Eyes (blurred vision)
Face drooping
Arm weakness
Speech difficulty
Time to call 911
Don’t hesitate on that last one. There are stroke treatments that only work within three hours of the start of a stroke. It is better to cry wolf than miss that three hour window. Cry all the wolves and labradoodles and chihuahuas.
Last little really important thing: if your city/county/state has an election tomorrow, do your Scout duty and VOTE. Find your polling place, ask for a provisional ballot if necessary, or even register to vote the same day (in 23 states and DC).
Next time: We go deep on identity cuz why not? We’re a dumpster fire already