World Stroke Day
Chapa-De Indian Health Auburn Grass Valley | Medical Clinic
What is a stroke?
A stroke is a sudden interruption in the blood supply of the brain. Our brain works because blood carries oxygen to it, allowing it to breathe and work the way it is supposed to. When this process is interrupted by a stroke, our brain isn’t able to work properly and our body stops functioning. If strokes are not treated by a medical professional immediately, they can be fatal.
Types of strokes
There are many types of strokes. The most common are:
- Ischemic strokes
- When the arteries that carry blood to the brain are blocked
- Intracerebral hemorrhage
- When an artery that carries blood to the brain ruptures, releasing blood into the brain
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage
- When an artery that carries blood to the brain ruptures, filling the space surrounding the brain with blood
- Transient ischemic attack (mini-stroke)
- When the symptoms last less than an hour
- Click HERE to read more about the different types of strokes.
Warning signs
We cannot predict when a stroke will occur that is why understanding the warning signs is so important. These signs can include:
- Sudden numbness of the face, arm or leg
- Sudden confusion and trouble speaking or listening
- Sudden trouble seeing
- Sudden trouble walking or loss of balance and coordination
- Sudden severe headache
- Click HERE to read more about warning signs of strokes.
Preventing a stroke
Strokes are not always preventable, but there are certain conditions that make strokes more likely in some people. Uncontrollable risk factors for stroke include:
- Increasing age
- Male sex
- Heredity and ethnicity
- African-Americans and Hispanic Americans are more prone to strokes than other ethnic groups.
Medical conditions that increase your risk of stroke are:
- Previous strokes or mini-strokes
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
Lifestyle choices that can increase your risk of stroke are:
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Physical inactivity
- Excessive alcohol intake
- Illegal drug use
Click HERE to read more about reducing your risk of stroke.
PHASE at Chapa-De
PHASE stands for Preventing Heart Attacks and Strokes Everyday. In partnership with Kaiser Permanente, we at Chapa-De have developed programs that help patients control their blood pressure and reduce their risk of stroke. From high blood pressure screenings in our Dental Department to working with our Clinical Pharmacist to help manage patient’s blood pressure, as well as offering Home Blood Pressure Monitors, we are dedicated to making a lasting difference in patients’ lives through PHASE.
We are so dedicated that the American Heart Association (AHA) and American Medical Association (AMA) named Chapa-De as one of 802 physician practices and health systems nationwide recognized for a commitment to help patients improve blood pressure control through this year’s Target: BP Recognition awards.
If you or a loved one is suffering from a stroke, you should call 911 immediately. But if you fear you or a loved one is at risk of a stroke due to their lifestyle or health condition, please call our Auburn location at (530) 887-2810 or our Grass Valley location at (530) 477-8545 or visit us online at chapa-de.org.
PASSIONATE PEOPLE. COMPASSIONATE CARE.
Chapa-De provides medical care, dental care, optometry, behavioral health, pharmacy services and much more.
Serving all American Indian, Low Income and Limited Income Community
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Chapa-De Indian Healthcare Auburn Grass Valley