Cerebrovascular Disease

Annabel Dannelly, Mary Henderson, Laura

Pritchard, Shaquala Rice, Allison Suhrer

What is Cerebrovascular
Disease?
Type of Cardiovascular Disease that affects a
persons brain
Also called a stroke or brain attack
A stroke occurs when a blood vessel going up
to the brain is disrupted either by a blood clot
or a ruptured vessel
This causes the brain to suffer and become
damaged from lack of oxygen

Cerebrovascular Disease
Symptoms
Muscular issues such as difficulty walking,
paralysis of one side of the body, coordination
problems
Balance issues
Blurred or double vision
Difficulty speaking and/or swallowing
Drooping or numbness of the face

Statistics
Strokes are currently the fifth leading cause of
death in the United States
Major cause of adult long-term disability
Most common life threatening neurological
event in the United States
Approximately 800,000 people in the United
States experience a stroke and about 130,000
people die from it each year (CDC 2014).

Who is at risk?
Risk of having a stroke varies among different
ethnicities
The risk of having a stroke is twice as high for African
Americans than it is for Caucasians
The groups at the highest risk are American Indians,
Alaska Natives, and Native Americans
Most likely attributed to the fact that these races
have higher risk of high blood pressure and obesity
The risk of having a stroke increases with age and the
group that is most affected are those ages 60 and up
Women tend to have more strokes than men

Behavioral Factors
Unhealthy diets and lack of physical activity
Raises blood pressure

Obesity
Triggers heart disease, high blood pressure, and
diabetes, which are all risk factors

Excessive alcohol use

Raises blood pressure

Tobacco use
Can be damaging to the heart and blood vessels

Environmental Factors
Second-hand smoke from tobacco is strongly
associated with the risk of CVD
Pollutants, such as smog, can also have similar
risks on CVD
Also, certain chemicals such as aldehydes,
polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and metals are
seen to increase the risks of CVD.
Lastly, when pregnant, exposure to certain
drugs or toxins may cause birth defect and
later causal of CVD in life.

Community Health
Program
Target: African American women ages 55-65 in
Richland County, South Carolina
Why African Americans? They have a higher risk
for stoke due to their elevated risk of high blood
pressure and obesity
Why South Carolina? We have the 7 th highest
stroke rate in the United States and are also in
the Stroke Belt
Stroke Belt: Group of southeast states with the
highest death rates
Plan to educate on stroke prevention via diet,
exercise, and control of alcohol and tobacco

Factors that can easily be

changed
Obesity
Combat this epidemic, as well as reduce strokes
Diet and exercise

Tobacco use
Firsthand and Secondhand smoke are huge risk
factors for strokes
Ban smoking in public areas around Richland
County to reduce exposure

The American Stroke

Association (ASA)
United States Organization
Located in Dallas, Texas
Dedicated efforts to the prevention, diagnosis,
and treatment of strokes
Mission is to build healthier lives, free of
cardiovascular diseases and stroke. That single
purpose drives all we do. The need for our work
is beyond question.
Can be contacted via customer service at the
number 1-888-4-STROKE

The National Institute of

Neurological Disorders and
Stroke (NINDS)
Branch of the National Institute of Health
Headquarters located in Bethesda, Maryland
NINDS mission seeks knowledge about the
brain and nervous system to reduce the burden
of neurological disease
Can be contacted via the Institutes Brain
Resources and Information Network (BRAIN) at
(800) 352-9424

National Stroke Association

Non-profit organization that offers hope after
stroke to all survivors and people who have been
impacted by stroke in their lives
Goal is the educate through programs focused on
prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and support
for families affected by stroke
National Stroke Association has been around for
over 30 years
One of the only non-profit organizations
dedicated to stroke education and awareness
Can be contacted at 1-800-Strokes (787-6537) or
via e-mail at info@stroke.org