I am so proud of my work as an Ambassador and Spokesperson for the American Heart and Stroke Association. Life, by the loss of my Father, brought me here over 10 years ago and then again in 2006 by the loss of my Mother and my heart attack and surgery last year. I remember I first got involved with "Train to End a Stroke" in Florida. It was an amazing experience full of amazing stories and heart breaking moments we discussed while walking. I learned at that point that it is really is about WALKING THE WALK.
This past week reminded me why advocacy is so important. Why sharing my story is so important. Most of all, I was reminded again just how short life is with all of its uncertainties. Life is short and that stares me in the face everyday.
I woke up a week ago Tuesday with a sudden snap in the back of my neck. My eyes were blurry and I just could not focus as hard as I tried. My husband was in the shower and I went to him to tell him my vision was blurry. It was literally seconds later that I no longer could form a single word. Everything just was gibberish. Andy called 911. The strange thing is that I could understand what was happening but I could not vocalize. To say I was scared was an understatement because I new through my work with AHA that this could be devastating. I just remember trying to say Carter's name and I couldn't.
I spent 4 days in the hospital. Thank you Shady Grove Adventist Health care for ONCE AGAIN supplying amazing health care. It was determined that I had a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
What is a TIA or transient ischemic attack? (Courtesy of http://www.heart.org/)
A TIA is a "warning stroke" or "mini-stroke" that produces stroke-like symptoms but no lasting damage. Recognizing and treating TIAs can reduce your risk of a major stroke.
Most strokes aren't preceded by TIAs. However, of the people who've had one or more TIAs, more than a third will later have a stroke. In fact, a person who's had one or more TIAs is more likely to have a stroke than someone of the same age and sex who hasn't.
TIAs are important in predicting if a stroke will occur rather than when one will happen. They can occur days, weeks or even months before a major stroke. In about half the cases, the stroke occurs within one year of the TIA.
What causes a transient ischemic attack?
TIAs occur when a blood clot temporarily clogs an artery, and part of the brain doesn't get the blood it needs. The symptoms occur rapidly and last a relatively short time. Most TIAs last less than five minutes. The average is about a minute. Unlike stroke, when a TIA is over, there's no injury to the brain.
What are the symptoms of a TIA?
It's very important to recognize the warning signs of a TIA or stroke. The usual TIA symptoms are the same as those of stroke, only temporary:
Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
The short duration of these symptoms and lack of permanent brain injury is the main difference between TIA and stroke.
TIAs are extremely important predictors of stroke. Don't ignore them! If symptoms appear, CALL 9-1-1 TO GET MEDICAL HELP IMMEDIATELY. A doctor should determine if a TIA or stroke has occurred, or if it's another medical problem with similar symptoms. Some examples are seizure, fainting, migraine headache, or general medical or cardiac condition. Prompt medical or surgical attention to these symptoms could prevent a fatal or disabling stroke from occurring.
For stroke information, call the American Stroke Association at 1-888-4-STROKE.
I was scheduled to emcee the DC Miss and Teen International pageant but was unable too. My sincere thanks to Ginny Meerman for stepping in for me. I heard you do a great job!
This week, with sad remorse, did not start out any better as I arrived home with THANK GOODNESS, no long term effects of my "episode" as the doctors love to call it. A friend of Andy and I's, and such an AMAZING and KIND man, passed away on Monday night. Andy Odenthal, 22, passed away suddenly at the gym from a previously undiagnosed heart condition. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
It is so important, regardless of your age, to really learn your numbers (cholesterol, BP, Blood Sugar, Trig) and get a baseline EKG to understand if you are at risk. Heart disease is not prejudice and being your own advocate can save your life.
Listen to your heart...and your head....learn to live. www.heart.org/ http://www.goredforwomen.org/
PS~I'll be walking in the START!American Heart Associations Greater Washington Heart Walk again this year. I hope you can join me!
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