Article Source: msnbc.com
from:msnbc.comSenator's stroke shows they can hit the young, too
Seeded on Mon Jan 30, 2012 3:14 PM EST (msnbc.com)
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I had a stroke at 43 with no known risk factors. After the fact, they found a PFO. I ignored the symptoms for more than 12 hours before going to the ER. Had I gone in 3 hours or less, I could have received the clot busting TPA. Don't wait if you think there is any possibility it is a stroke. Call 911 and get to a stroke center ASAP.
July 15, 2007, at 43 yrs old. No history of high blood pressure, but a BP induced stroke nearly ended my life. I agree totally with you!!
I'm curious do you eat the standard American diet, often referred to as s.a.d.?
I was a roofing contractor at age 30 when I had a stroke. However, I, also, had an AVM (Arteriovenous Malformation) that ruptured without any warning, whatsoever. My RN ex-wife took me to several doctors in the area, and they stated that I had the flu, if you can believe that! On the 11th of Feb 72, I was admitted to the Seattle VA hospital, where the doctor and my ex-wife performed a spinal tap that showed blood in the spinal fluid. I had brain surgery on the 15th of Feb 72 that lasted over 6 hours. "The operation was a success, but the patient died" pertains to me for I developed grand mal seizures that were NOT supposed to be a problem, but were and for over 6 years before I found the right medication to control the seizures that were NOT supposed to be a problem! Suffice it to say, I lost my beloved roofing business and, eventually, my wife. Being a Vietnam (ugh) vet, I went to the VA hospital in Seattle to receive "free" medical care. Bad mistake on my part, I guess. Oh well!
My wife had 3 strokes at 26 ( 2 mini and a major one that paralyzed her left side) - no known factors - they think it was caused by a blood clot (ischemic), plus a 4th one 2 years ago at age 38. So like these others age is not a factor - diet, stress, etc. Don't take your health for granted
What kind of diet was she eating??? The government and Doctors are trying to get people to eat fruits and veggies-- that way they can make more money-- I would like to know how many people who only eat beef and potatoes,milk,eggs , butter, bacon, I mean no pre-made food . They have been trying to get mother's to feed there babies soy milk and fruit juice for several years and now all this is showing up.....
Mavis, a low fat, highgrain diet is associated with a higher incidence of ischemic stroke, so you are not off base. Further study is warranted. Soy mimics estrogen in the body, so women should be watching soy intake as well.
I had a stroke at 42...Playing basketball with my son and collapsed. Tried to get up and couldn't walk due to dizziness. I sat on our couch (wall surfed prior to her getting home) and kept throwing up. Luckily my wife came home about five minutes later. She drove me to the hospital and I threw up constantly. When we arrived at the ER, no one knbew what was going on. I literally sat in a wheel chair for 45 minutes throwing up while I waited to see a doctor in the waiting room. I share all this not to gross anyone out...not at all. I've since heard through various ads that lost minutes mean lost brain cells. This month it will be three years since that night and I have wondered each day if there was a better response, would the damage to my left side have been reduced.
My husband had a stroke last year. He was 27. I took him to the emergency room with slurred speach and weakness on the right side. When his symptoms started getting a little better, they sent him home saying it was a migraine. About an hour later his symptoms took a turn for the worse. I called the hospital and they said not to bring him back in, he would get better in a day or so. By the time I got an ambulance to come a pick him up (at this point he could no longer walk. They had to carry him down the stairs.) a severe snow storm had hit and he couldn't be transfered to a hospital with an mri machine so that they could tell for sure if it was a stroke. If they had just sent him to a larger hospital in the first place rather than shrugging him off, maybe he would have been able to recieve the clot busting treatment and maybe his symptoms wouldn't have been so severe and lasting.
Many years ago, my sister had a stroke at 26 years old while she was pregnant (lost the baby). The thing that bothers me is why the population doesn't realize/know so many things - not just this one. Disturbing.
My deceased husband died at the age of 44. He had a second heart attack that killed him. My uncle died early and my brother has had 2 . I have 2 sons one with racing heart so it does not matter. My mother was having strokes and then a heart attack.
I'm sure many people will come forward when reading this article, that stroke indeed, happens to young people. Last year at a very healthy age of 36, I had an ischemic stroke. I had no prior health problems, was at a healthy 125 pounds, good diet and exercised regularly. Stroke can happen to ANYONE, at ANY AGE, at ANY TIME. I discovered it not only hits you...but everyone around you in a ripple effect.
Please go to the National Stroke Association website and look at the Faces of Stroke Campaign to meet all of us who have suffered this affliction at a much younger and healthier age than the senator.
Hello, I'm doing researching. When you say "healthy diet" can you tell me what kinds of things do you eat? Any of it processed foods or fast foods? Thank you.
I have had three strokes. I'm 47 years old. I had my first at 37 years old. Strokes can be the result of genetics. I was diagnosed with a condition called CADASIL. Individuals with CADASIL have a problem with the number 3 chromosome. Our blood is missing a protein so our blood vessels kink instead of developing smoothly. There is a website called CADASIL, which can offer more factual information to anyone who is interested. There is also a very good book by a neurologist named Jill Bolte Taylor who tells the story of her own personal experience with stroke at the age of 37. The book is called, A Stroke of Insight.
Eva, I was on a full vegetarian diet with unprocessed foods and was doing marathons ... mine was due to a rupture due to an injury which is the common reason for younger people ... That said I could have been eating ho hos and Chucky Cheese constantly ... it would have made no difference. Medical Professionals will tell you that if you have lower blood pressure you have a better chance of full recovery which I did (because of marathon running) but it does not keep you from having a stroke and mine was minor and caught immediately ...and if it hadnt been it wouldnt matter what I had eaten .. Princess Diana died from a stroke due to the pain of her injuries ... so take your .. you must improve your diet rant elsewhere ... it is incorrect and you know it. (That said people that are young that have high bP and Diabeties are more subject to strokes but your processed v unproceesed bs is just that BS you are disgusting
Wow, The attitude is totally uncalled for... Eva was just asking a question...Really?
Asking questions its not BS,she/ Eve / is wondering about the diet,possibly leading to the CVS,cardiovascular accident.
Poor Diet ,surely may lead to problems earlier then later.Some people are morbidly obese & don't face CVS or MI until their late 60's or even 70's.Genetics do play important role. Some people eat lousy foods, drink excessively & play with fire until their body stops performing,other eat good food, excercise & become victims of the "stroke" .CVS disease or some type of Cancer. So,everything in moderation, seems to keep fair balance & we can't always predict how long will our body perform . Good luck,keep it light,enjoy every day as if it was your last
you may never know when your life changes so get off the couch and get out there and work hard play hard have lots of sex be happy go fishing disneyworld go to the movies eat good no junk food or soda no smoking and go camping enjoy !
bandit - moderation is the ticket. You can eat some junk food - occasionally - it just can't be your whole diet. And the same with soda. Extremes are not necessary nor desired.
My 34 year old son has a stroke this past September. In that they did not know when or about what time the stroke occured, he had to have the surgery instead of the cloth busting TPA. Sadly he has a young wife and 2 small children. We were fortunately the physical damage wasn't so bad; but he has speech problems & is attending speech therapy. He still has numbness to the right side of the body. This is a young man who is a health nut & who would have been the lease candidate for a stroke.
Comment # 8 deleted for death trolling.
I had a stroke at age 41. I had just gotten married, and 6 months later I had a migraine headache for 3 days, ending in a stroke with seizures. The physicians are of the opinion that it was the birth control pills I had started taking just before the wedding. It happens in women more than is realized, and estrogen can cause stroke or blood clots, especially in older women. Other risk factors are smoking, high blood pressure or obesity. My only risk factor was my age. Thanks be to God it wasn't a debilitating stroke, but I was on blood thinner and seizure prevention meds for a couple of years. Now I only take an aspirin daily.
Hi Joy,
I was 41 as well and very healthy, had ran a marathon a couple of years earlier and was still running 3-4 times a week. Never smoked a cigarette in my life. My only risk factor was my age as well. I was very lucky and have no residual effects. I was on aspirin for 2 years and then I read that just taking an aspirin every day was a risk factor for strokes. I asked my neurologist if I really needed to take the aspirin and he told me not really, since the stroke was caused by the birth control and it had left my system completely months ago.
Great to meet someone else that has experienced something similar in their life. Best of luck to you.
As a deep Chicago guy, I am an Obama supporter but did vote for Kirk the last time around
I cannot help to think now that if this was somebody who did not have the personal funds or "insurance" like congress to combat this horrible condition. The Republican plan says you are basically "screwed." Obamacare offers treatment far more. That is why I support the Obama healthcare bill. Private markets in this Kirk case would run you dry and in debt that you would never get out of. I hope Kirk thinks about this.
Obama 2012 - It's gonna happen
Obama 21012 - It's gonna happen:
That is some serious medical care! But, I'm not interested in that much time.
Obama 2012? Unfortunately, I get this uneasy feeling you may be correct. Not a good sign for our country.
Rob99, couldn't agree with you more. I have learned the hard way that every time you see the doctor about an issue, they raise your rates or choose to not insure you. Hence people like me with blood clotting issues in my 50s don't see the doctor every time there are risks. We suffer through. I already had this happen about 3 years ago when I let it go too long and ended up with Pulmonary Embolism (clot in my lung) that could have killed me. After the incident cleared up, some insurances wouldn't insure me, others offered me only a high risk pool plan which cost me through the nose. We need insurances against this in America for sure.
Hey! Rob99!
How did you fix the post to read correctly? Did you still have time remaining to edit, or do you have connections I would like to make?!
LOL Sarc,
Just gotta call it like I see it. I saw it. :)
Have you read the Obama bill, get a clue
Tell Kirk to get a clue. Well, maybe not. He has ( I hope). He doesn't need you in his condition.
The big mouth;s always go at it UNTIL IT EFFECTS THEM DIRECTLY. TALK IS LOW BUDGET ISN'T IT??
Rob99,
You have made very good points.
I hope that Kirk will reflect on his stroke.
Hopefully, he will be able to realize that it is essential for all Americans to have access to basic and critical health care. Unfortunately, it is only when people find themselves in Kirk's undesirable circumstances that they are able to broaden their "narrow" political perspectives and embrace a humane points of view.
U R so full of it. So very wrong, politics don't play any role here, the Congrss has incredible health benefits & if you don't like the curent Private care, just wait when "IT"S FREE" then make your conclusion.Go to Cuba & see what kind of healthcare you get.,,,,,
you have a lot to learn
Anna,
Apply your failed and inhumane GOP policies to your life.
With hard-hearted, American citizens like you, this country will always lag behind other Western countries who are economically, politically and socially ahead of America. A Private Health care system should not translate into a NO Health-care system for millions of our citizens.
Health care is a human right!
A person should not have to be wealthy so that he or she can receive basic and life-saving medical treatment. On this issue, and I suspect on many other countless political matters, it is you who is wrong.
If you do not like the efforts by many in America to bring health care to all of our people - then you should move to a warmer part of the world.
Hopefully, squatting near the equator will "UN-THAW" your hard heart!
Rob99 - I'm also a Chicagoan who is NOT a Kirk supporter. However, I would not wish this on anyone and I sent him a message wishing him a speedy recovery (although I know enough to realize it won't be speedy). You are correct about the health insurance (Ignore Ana - she has an ax to grind). He is very lucky he is covered under the congressional plan. His rehab will be extensive. I truly hope he returns to his former fitness although I fear that will be a long difficult road ahead for him.
What are the symtems beside the right arm, speech, anf can't stick your tongue out straight?
partial blurring of vision, uneven smile -- can be either side of the body -- unable to raise both arms to the same height -- check web md for signs and symptoms. talk to your doctor
strokes are not a joke --
my poor grandfather was partially paralyzed at a younger than usual age and suffered until the day he died
my mother had a deep brain stroke and ended up virtually immobile
A headache that feels like an axe going through your head.
Since a stroke can affect any part of your brain, any new neurological deficit could be a symptom of a stroke.
Some common ones are:
Change in mental status e.g. confusion,agitation,memory loss that comes on quickly, difficulty getting out your words, headache, high blood pressure (which you can check yourself with an automatic cuff that you can get for about $30 at a pharmacy),numbness in your face or an extremity, unexplained difficulty using one of your extremities, unexplained difficulty walking,dizziness,unexplained changes in vision,sudden difficulty comprehending what other people say,drooping of one corner of the mouth,trouble swallowing, unexplained loss of consciousness,unexplained difficulty waking someone.
Common risk factors are heredity, high blood pressure, medications which increase the risk for stroke, being overweight, sedentary lifestyle, smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke, frequent alcohol abuse, high sodium diet,high stress levels,using street drugs long term consumption of a high fat diet,complications of pregnancy.
Sometimes there are no symptoms at all, however monitoring one's blood pressure can greatly decrease the chances of being caught off guard by a stroke.
My husband had a stroke over 2 years ago at age 61. His BP was under control and just had been to the cardiologist a month prior and his cholorestol was 126. He got to the hospital and got the blot buster TPA and it didn't work. His was very massive and he's still paralzyed on the right side and has speech problems. He's in a nursing home now. He had to be put in a drug induced coma because of the brain swelling & a hole drilled in his head to get the fluid off the brain. He has come a long way from then as he was not given much of a chance to survive. But he's in a nursing home now since I still work and he needs help 24/7. Four weeks ago my cousins husband had a stroke at age 52. He is still paralzyed too.
Sandy, i'm so sorry about your situation. my husband has suffered two strokes. the last one (4 years ago), left him paralyzed and bound to bed. i now take care of him at home. he doesn't want to go to a nursing home. he was a very healthy, active man. how much i miss my husband. my prayers go to you and to all the stroke patients and brave families out there.
These things are dangerous - I had two ischemic strokes in my mid-late 40s and then a big stroke at 53. They eventually determined it was due to a PFO and did the surgery - immediately after having that surgery-I felt completely different - I didn't realize what a "normal" feeling was until after the surgery. Please, anyone having any issues like this - insist on full medical workups, etc. - I learned that you have to be your own health care advocate-period. Fortunately I have fully recovered and I hope this may help someone else avoid the nightmare.
ATTN Lauran Neergaard and Senator Kirk
Please contact me in regards to a nationwide grassroots campaign I am coordinating for National Stroke Awareness month in May: Go Gray In May Because Gray Matter Matters. I am uniting groups, organizations and individuals across the country because together, WE CAN make a difference.
www.gograyinmaybecausegraymattermatters.webs.com
www.facebook.com/minutesmatter
Comment # 20 deleted for death trolling.
I have a history of TIAs. Mine seem to be blood vessels in my brain going into spasms that temporarily shut off blood flow. Then the vessels relax and blood flow returns to normal. My symptoms have ranged from visual disturbances to slurred speech. So far, I have been lucky: no lasting damage or symptoms. The typical conditions that could be causative all seem to be well controlled. This is good; I live alone and drive myself almost everywhere. My neurologist, and my other doctors, are aware and are actively monitoring. My neurologist is giving me medications to minimize/prevent the spasms: Propanolol (Inderal?) and baby asprin. We keep watching and I pray. So far, so good.
Hang in there partner! My mother does as well, she's turned 75...don't give up!
This is why Obama has in his health care, Nobody over the age of 70 will receive other than comfort care let alone Managment care. This is wrong. He is not worthy of anyones time let alone a senior citezens. Wrong Wrong Wrong!
Might want to read the law again, Larry. What you are saying is 100% incorrect.
I had a hemorraghic stroke at age 13. I have been unable to get health insurance since I got too old to stay on my Dads. I have developed neurological movement disorders resulting from that stroke. What scares me is the likely number of young people who are going to face such catastrophic health problems through no fault of their own and be unable to get needed health care. (One of my treatment's costs over $20,000.00/yr.)
If you're 26 or younger your Dad can add you back on his medical plan based on Obama's healthcare law.
Add to the fact that this country is one of the highest in the world for obesity.Every where i look it seems like people are 30 to 100 pounds over weight.If parents don't force there kids to eat healthy strokes will continue to rise.Parents also have to be a role model,when the kids look at there parents and they look like blimps what kind of message are we sending them
The key things with strokes is they are not always fatal. If you know the signs and get help immediately you can avoid long term damage or death.If its massive theres nothing much that can be done but most aren't massive but a failure to get immediate help is the key.
I assume that a % not clear to me is related to cocaine and meth. Is this one of the reasons to see strokes in younger persons? I be;live so.
I'm 65 and recently had a physical. High BP, cholesterol is high. I'm 20# overweight. The Dr.'s office called the next day and said to change my diet and start exercising. One thinks that nothing will happent to them....I better take this seriously. Just retired to move near my grandchildren.
Make the choice to be there for those grandkids! One step at a time.
We are forgetting about cocaine ans meth. This use-addiction occurs in younger people and may account for a number of strokes.
I, too, had a stroke at an early age (32), about a dozen years ago. I was extremely healthy (160 lbs), non-smoker, etc. Lost language and small moter skills in my left side. I really thought my liffe was over. Fast foward, after a couple years of hard therapy (speech, ergo, physical), life is good. Most people would never notice my slight issues with my hand/arm and I now function very well as a leftie. To all who are still struggling with this devastating problem, keep working and keep up the hope.
Recently was told I have high blood pressure and high cholestrol. I'm 65 and very active....retired one year ago. I keep thinking that it won't happen to me....a stroke happens to others. I'm looking at it more seriously.
I'm a Vietnam (ugh) vet who sustained a hemorraghic stroke at age 30 on 6 Feb 72, and I was a roofing contractor to boot! However, I, also, sustained a ruptured AVM (Arteriovenous Malformation) in the brain. After seeing several doctors in my area of WA, where I had my roofing business, I went up to the Seattle VA hospital, a distance of about 45 miles. There, the doctor and my RN ex-wife performed a spinal tap on me to see if there was any blood in my spinal fluid. That was on 11 Feb, and the brain surgery transpired on the 15th. The operation was a success, but the patient died! Figuratively, that statement is true for I developed grand mal epileptic seizures and had them for over 6 years before I found the right medication to control the seizures that were NOT supposed to be a problem! I didn't have one blood test when I was out of the hospital to see if my dilantin and phenobarbital were in the therapeutic range. Finally, I said to myself, "The hell with it, and like a fool, I returned to PA and my ignorant (not stupid) parents to find the right medication to control the seizures that were NOT supposed to be a problem! That's all I wish to share with you at this time. Sorry about that!
Dick: Is there a way that we might make contact back-channel? I don't know that I can help with anything else, but as a fellow Nam vet, at least we can talk - or something. Most people, even those at the VA have little idea of what we endred for out tours. We had out own little version of Hell; we'll go to Heaven when we die because we've had our time in the other place. Net monitor/moderator: try to contact "Stroke victim at age 30, Dick," and give him my email address. You should have it somewhere; I've been fairly active lately. I might be able to help him some. Thanks. Similarly, can you give me his email address? Thanks again.
aww cmon, I was tortured in an assylum for 8 years and never got any representation, let alone renumeration...give the guy all the hell his party can handle. make him a poster boy for long suffering illnesses...who really gives a damn, not me!!!!
you'ld be surprised how fast they got ten grand together to try and stop the arsons here, though...I really could have used some help financially back then.
Good Grief!