This video will provide a general overview on stroke by addressing the incidence and prevalence of stroke in the United States, describing causes of stroke, discussing how strokes can affect function, explaining how to recognize symptoms and risk factors of a stroke, describing the roles of the interprofessional health team, and introducing American Stroke Foundation (ASF) services.
Incidence and Prevalence of Stroke (1:00-2:07)
Strokes are the leading cause of long term disability in the United States. Strokes affect people differently depending on health status/history, race, and geographic location.
Types and Effects of Stroke (2:08- 7:36)
Types
- Ischemic: Caused by a blockage and is the most common type of stroke
- Hemorrhagic: Caused by a burst blood vessel, is more deadly than an ischemic stroke
Effects
- Right sided stroke: affects the left side of the body, produces greater visual deficits
- Left sided stroke: affects the right side of body, produces greater language deficits
- Location in the brain: the functional area of the brain that is impacted by the lack of blood flow will also influence the effects of a stroke
Recognize the Signs of a Stroke (7:37-8:56)
Use the acronym BE FAST to identify the signs of a stroke.
Timeframes for Recovery (8:57-11:25)
Early intervention is key in stroke recovery. Whether it be seeking care immediately after a stroke or in the recovery stage, involvement in early therapy will improve functional outcomes. However, don’t let anyone put an expiration date on your recovery, as gains can continually be made!
Stroke Prevention (11:26-14:21)
Strokes can be caused by genetic, environmental, and lifestyle influences. Limiting alcohol and smoking, monitoring your health status, eating a balanced diet with lowered cholesterol and fat, and getting regular exercise can all decrease your risk of having a stroke.
Rehabilitation Team (14:22-20:13)
Members of the rehabilitation team work together to form comprehensive goals, educate and train family members, and make discharge recommendations according to the client’s functional capacity.
- Occupational therapists: focus on fine motor skills, activities of daily living, and vision
- Physical therapists: focus on gross motor skills, functional mobility, and strengthening
- Speech therapists: focus on language skills, cognition, and swallowing
Other Healthcare Providers in Stroke Recovery (20:14-23:45)
Life After Stroke (23:46-24:56)
After a stroke, survivors and their caregivers experience many changes in roles, habits, and routines. Services such as support groups and social media pages are a great place to connect with a community of people who have been impacted by stroke, learn more about the journey through recovery, and gain valuable resources from others.
American Stroke Foundation (24:57-27:15)
This section describes the services offered by the American Stroke Foundation (ASF) and includes testimonials from survivors of stroke and their caregivers on how this facility has impacted their daily life.