This week is National Stroke Week 2021 where we raise awareness for Stroke. Stroke is one of Australia’s biggest killers and leading cause of disability (1/6 people affected). It kills more women than breast cancer and more men than prostate cancer. A large portion of stroke survivors inherit disability that has direct impact of on activities of daily living.

What is Stroke?

Stroke is a disruption of blood flow to the brain due to vascular system being compromised. There are two types. One involves a blockage of an artery resulting in blood flow insufficiency, the other involving rupture of a blood vessel. In both instances, the lack of blood results in lack oxygen to the brain and subsequent damage.   

A TIA or mini stroke is a manifestation of Stroke like symptoms that last less than 24 hours (as such it is not classified as a Stroke). Although in these situations, symptoms may have subsided, this is often a warning sign, and it is strongly recommended that you seek medical attention as soon as possible.   

How to recognize the signs of Stroke  

Recognise stroke FAST

Tissue damage can occur to within seconds, therefore early recognition and intervention are important. This is why the fast the FAST method is commonly used:

F – Facial droop 
A – Arms, can they lift both of them
S – Speech, is it slurred or is there difficulty comprehending
T – Time is critical! Call 000  

Risk factors  

We can focus on to reduce the chance of having a Stroke, these are known as Modifiable risk factors. They include things like:  Physical inactivity,  Obesity, High cholesterol, High blood pressure,  Diabetes, Psychological Factors (stress, depression), Cardiac conditions and Poor lifestyle choices (excessive alcohol intake, smoking and drugs) 

There are some risk factors, however, that are Non-Modifiable such as: Age, Gender, Ethnicity, Family history and Socioeconomic status. 

How can Stroke be prevented?

There are two types of prevention:  

  • Primary: Management of modifiable risk factors to avoid a stroke from occurring   
  • Secondary: Management of risk factors following stroke to prevent secondary infarcts   

Prevention strategies/Managing risk factors include:  

1. High blood pressure 

High blood pressure (hypertension), is the most important known risk factor for Stroke. Hypertension puts a strain on blood vessels, including the arteries that supply the brain causing the heart to work much harder to circulate blood. This can lead to a stroke in several ways:

  • damage & weaken blood vessel walls
  • speed up common forms of heart disease
  • cause blood clots or plaques to break off artery walls and block a brain artery

The higher the blood pressure, the greater the stroke risk.

2. Type 2 Diabetes

Our bodies need a hormone (insulin) to turn sugar from our food into energy. If you have type 1 diabetes, your body does not produce insulin. If you have type 2 diabetes, your body becomes resistant to insulin, and therefore does not make enough insulin to keep up. This means your body has difficulty absorbing the sugars from food.

Over time, this can lead to increases in fatty deposits or clots on the inside of blood vessel walls. If untreated or undiagnosed, these clots can narrow or block the blood vessels in the brain, cutting off blood supply and causing a Stroke.

3. High cholesterol

Cholesterol is a soft, waxy fat that is produced by the body. We also absorb some cholesterol from foods we eat, such as eggs, meats and dairy products. The main cause of High Cholesterol (hyperlipidaemia, dyslipidaemia) is a diet high in saturated fats such as fats from animal foods. High cholesterol contributes to blood vessel disease, which often leads to Stroke. High cholesterol can also be hereditary.

Two types of cholesterol: Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is the ‘bad’ cholesterol that builds up on the artery walls.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is the ‘good’ cholesterol. It is called the good cholesterol because it actually removes cholesterol from the blood stream. It takes cholesterol from the cells in our body to the liver where it is broken down and removed safely from our body.

The ratio of good to bad cholesterol is the key measurement of your stroke risk. The more HDL you have the lower your risk for stroke. When there is too much cholesterol in the blood, it can build up on artery walls and narrow the arteries. This is called atherosclerosis. It can block the flow of blood or cause blood clots, leading to an Ischemic Stroke.

4. Heart conditions

Irregular pulse or irregular heartbeat is known as atrial fibrillation, or AF. With a normal heartbeat the blood is pumped in and out regularly, with all four chambers of the heart completely emptying at each beat.  In atrial fibrillation, the upper chambers of the heart (atria) beat rapidly and out of rhythm with the lower chambers of the heart (ventricles). This means the blood does not move through the heart completely or smoothly. 

Because the blood is not properly pumped away, a clot can form in the heart. The clot can then break away from the heart wall and travel to the brain, where it may cause a Stroke.  Atrial fibrillation is associated with one in four strokes. 

5. Staying active

Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity on most (preferably all) days of the week. You don’t have to do it all in one go. It is just as effective to exercise a few times a day in 10, 15 or 20-minute sessions.  This can be any form of exercise or physical activity. But the activity should increase your heart rate, make you feel warm and get you a little out of breath. 

People with high blood pressure should be careful with some types of exercises. If you have high blood pressure, talk to your doctor about an exercise program. 

6. Eating well

Enjoy a balanced diet by following the Australian Dietary Guidelines. They recommend you eat: 

  • Plenty of vegetables. Choose different types and colours. Eat legumes (peas, lentils and beans). 
  • Fruit. 
  • Grain or cereal foods. Choose wholegrain and high-fibre types of bread, cereal, rice, pasta, noodles, polenta, couscous, oats, quinoa and barley. 
  • Lean meats and poultry, fish, eggs, tofu, nuts ad seeds, peas, lentils and beans. 
  • Milk, yoghurt, cheese and their alternatives, mostly reduced fat.  

You should also: 

  • Drink plenty of water. 
  • Limit intake of foods high in saturated fats. 
  • Limit foods with added salt and sugar. 
  • Limit salt to less than 4 grams each day (equivalent to 1600 mg of sodium). The maximum daily upper limit is 6 grams of salt (2300 mg of sodium), which is about a teaspoon. 
  • Prevent weight gain by being physically active and eating according to your energy needs 

 7. Quitting smoking

Smoking doubles your risk  – the more you smoke the greater your risk of Stroke. Tobacco in every form is very harmful to your health. Exposure to second-hand smoke is also dangerous 

Tobacco smoke contains over 4,000 toxic chemicals which are deposited on the lungs or absorbed into the bloodstream. Some of these chemicals damage blood vessel walls, leading to atherosclerosis (narrowing and hardening of the arteries). This increases the chance of blood clots forming in the arteries to the brain and heart. 

There are immediate health benefits from quitting smoking. They include: 

  • Within a month after a person stops smoking, blood pressure returns to its normal range. 
  • The risk of heart attack and stroke starts to drop immediately after a person stops using tobacco products, and can drop by as much as half after one year. 
  • After fifteen years your risk of Stroke and heart attack is almost the same as that of a person who has never smoked. 

8. Alcohol moderation

You can reduce your risk of strokes by limiting your alcohol consumption. The Australian Alcohol Guidelines recommended no more than two standard alcoholic drinks per day. If you’ve had a Stroke, your doctor may recommend you limit all alcohol consumption in the following months. 

Excessive alcohol consumption can be harmful for people who’ve had a Stroke or TIA if they are on blood-thinning medication. Additionally, alcohol may intensify symptoms of a stroke, such as poor balance, mood swings, depression or speech problems. Some tips are:

  • Do you know your alcohol limit? 
  • Think before you drink – Drinking large amounts of alcohol increases your risk of stroke through increased blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, obesity and irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation). 
  • Two or less – Drink no more than two standard alcoholic drinks on any day to reduce harm from alcohol-related disease or injury. 
  • Check the label on cans and bottles – See how many standard drinks you are actually consuming. 

9. Medical management

It’s always a good idea to stay on top of your medication management. Book in with GP for health check & ensure you are taking the correct medications to manage your conditions. Don’t ignore the warning signs, call 000 if in doubt 

How can we help?

Alliance Rehabilitation have a team of health experts that specialise in Stroke therapy such as Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Pathologists, Exercise Physiologists, Social Workers, Psychologyists, a Neuropsychologist, Accredited Practising Dietitians and Diabetes Educators.

More Info on Stroke Therapy

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We also run various Stroke rehabilitation programs which may be beneficial:

There are many ways for you to be referred to our facility. The main options for stroke rehabilitation are through or Community Based Rehabilitation Program (CBRS) and the NDIS but other options are available for you too. We also travel to different locations in North Queensland, so location is never a barrier to your health and recovery. Our main office is in Townsville with outreach locations available in Ayr, Charters Towers, Richmond, Hughenden, Ingham, Palm Island, and Magnetic Island.

Contact Us today to find out how we can help you.

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