Surviving Multiple Strokes: A Three-Time Survivor's Story

Strokes are a leading cause of death and disability, particularly in older adults. They can cause permanent brain damage, long-term disability, and reduce life expectancy. While some people can make a full recovery and live for many years after a stroke, for others, stroke complications can have a pronounced effect on their quality of life.

There is no exact answer to how many strokes a person can survive. However, the more strokes a person has, the higher the risk of damage to the brain, and the greater the likelihood of lasting damage or death.

Risk factors: chronic hypertension, insufficient physical activity, excessive alcohol, and diet

Strokes are the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of long-term disability. Every year, about 795,000 people in the US have strokes, and 137,000 of those people die. While there is no exact answer to how many strokes a person can survive, the likelihood of brain damage and death increases with each stroke.

Chronic Hypertension

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a leading cause of stroke and the most significant controllable risk factor. Nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure, and optimal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg. Hypertension is the most prevalent risk factor for stroke, with about 64% of stroke patients having this condition. It is important to know your blood pressure numbers and manage hypertension through medication and lifestyle changes.

Insufficient Physical Activity

Lack of exercise is a lifestyle factor that increases the risk of stroke. Engaging in regular physical activity can help reduce this risk. It is recommended to aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most days of the week. This can include activities such as brisk walking, swimming, biking, or gardening.

Excessive Alcohol Consumption

Excessive alcohol consumption is another lifestyle factor that contributes to stroke risk. While low-to-moderate alcohol consumption has been associated with lower overall mortality, excessive drinking can have negative effects on health. High daily dietary intake of fat, which is common in heavy drinkers, is linked to obesity and can act as an independent risk factor for stroke. It is important to maintain a healthy weight and drink in moderation to reduce stroke risk.

Diet

Diet plays a crucial role in stroke prevention. Diets high in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol can raise blood cholesterol levels, while those high in sodium can increase blood pressure. On the other hand, a diet rich in fruits and vegetables has been associated with a lower risk of stroke. The Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats like olive oil, is recommended for reducing stroke risk.

Treatment within 3 hours improves chances of survival

Strokes are the second leading cause of death worldwide and the fifth in the United States. They occur when something blocks the blood supply to the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. As brain cells need a constant supply of blood and oxygen to stay alive, a stroke can cause lasting brain damage, long-term disability, or even death.

If you experience a stroke, it is vital to call 911 immediately. Calling for an ambulance means medical staff can begin life-saving treatment on the way to the hospital. The key to stroke treatment and recovery is getting to the hospital quickly. The faster you receive treatment, the better your chances of survival and recovery.

If you get to the hospital within 3 hours of the first symptoms of an ischemic stroke, you may get a type of medicine called a thrombolytic (a "clot-busting" drug) to break up blood clots. Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is a thrombolytic. tPA improves the chances of recovering from a stroke. Studies show that patients with ischemic strokes who receive tPA are more likely to recover fully or have less disability than patients who do not receive the drug. Patients treated with tPA are also less likely to need long-term care in a nursing home. The sooner treatment begins, the better your chances of recovery.

Recognizing the signs and symptoms and seeking immediate medical attention is essential to prevent stroke-related disability or death.

Types of stroke: 'red' and 'white' strokes

While there is no exact answer to how many strokes a person can survive, each stroke injures the brain and increases the risk of brain damage and death. The more strokes a person has, the higher the risk of lasting damage or death.

Now, onto the topic of red and white strokes.

Types of Stroke: Red and White Strokes

"The Red Strokes" is a single by country music artist Garth Brooks from his album, "In Pieces". The song is a love ballad in which Brooks compares a romantic evening with his partner to a work of art, using colour metaphors to describe their passions. The song was inspired by co-writer Lisa Sanderson's visit to the Louvre in Paris, where she noticed how the red brushstrokes stood out.

The music video for "The Red Strokes" is just as dramatic as the song itself. It opens with Brooks, dressed in a white suit, rising out of a red puddle of paint, sitting at a white piano. As the song progresses, different colours of paint are splashed across him and the piano, with the final shot featuring red paint running down the screen. The video won the Top Video of the Year Award at the ACM Awards in 1995.

In the world of art, Mark Rothko's painting "No.1, White and Red" (1962) is a renowned example of red and white strokes. Rothko was an influential American Abstract Expressionist artist known for his use of form, figure, and colour. "No.1, White and Red" features a series of coloured regions of white, red, and grey on a black background, carefully blended to create a meditative and immersive experience for viewers.

Rothko aimed to eliminate representation and literary references from his paintings to remove all obstacles between himself, the idea, and the observer. The edges of the coloured regions in "No.1, White and Red" are hazy, making them appear to float off the canvas. This painting is a large-scale work, spanning 2.5 meters by 2.2 meters, inviting viewers to stand close and feel an intimacy with the artwork.

Long-term effects: physical, emotional, and behavioural challenges

The long-term effects of a stroke depend on which part of the brain was affected and the extent of the damage. The brain is very complex, and each part has a specific function or ability. When an area of the brain is damaged by a stroke, the part of the body it controls may lose normal function, leading to disabilities.

Physical Challenges

Physical changes after a stroke depend on the location and severity of the brain injury. Some common physical challenges include:

• Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
• Difficulty with gripping or holding objects
• Fatigue or tiredness
• Incontinence
• Pain
• Restricted ability to perform physical activities

Emotional Challenges

Emotional changes are a common effect of stroke. The area of the brain affected by the injury and the resulting chemical changes can significantly impact a person's mood and outlook. Some emotional challenges that may arise include:

• Irritability
• Forgetfulness
• Carelessness
• Inattention or confusion
• Fear
• Frustration
• Anger
• Grief
• Sadness
• Anxiety
• Depression

Behavioural Challenges

Behavioural changes often accompany the emotional challenges after a stroke. Some behavioural challenges that may be observed include:

• Aggressiveness
• Apathy or lack of motivation
• Repetitive behaviour
• Disinhibition, leading to socially inappropriate actions or words
• Impulsiveness

Recovery and Support

Early treatment and rehabilitation are crucial for improving recovery, and many stroke survivors regain significant function. The support required depends on the specific challenges faced by the individual. A range of healthcare professionals can assist in the recovery process, including doctors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, counsellors, and psychologists. Additionally, home help, respite care, and peer support groups can provide valuable assistance.

Prevention: exercise, diet, sleep, and quitting smoking

While there is no exact answer to how many strokes a person can survive, the more strokes a person has, the higher the risk of damage to the brain. To prevent strokes from occurring in the first place, doctors recommend making lifestyle changes, such as getting regular exercise, improving your diet, getting enough sleep, and quitting smoking.

Exercise

Doctors recommend regular physical activity to reduce your risk of stroke. Walking, swimming, and indoor exercises like housework are great ways to get moving.

Diet

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 8 in 10 strokes are preventable. Making small, gradual changes to your diet can help reduce your risk of stroke. The Mediterranean diet, for example, is a healthy lifestyle approach that has been linked to reducing the risk of stroke. This diet is largely composed of healthy fats (such as fatty fish, nuts, seeds, avocado, and extra-virgin olive oil), beans and other legumes, and whole grains (such as farro, spelt, barley, and millet). Incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your diet can also be beneficial.

Sleep

Sleep is critical to stroke recovery, but sleep problems may follow a stroke. Poor sleep can slow your recovery and lead to depression, memory problems, and night-time falls. It is important to maintain a regular sleep schedule and create a bedtime routine to improve your sleep quality.

Quitting Smoking

Smoking is a major risk factor for stroke, with smokers being around three times more likely to have a stroke than non-smokers. Quitting smoking can significantly reduce your risk of stroke, and within a few years, your risk is similar to that of a non-smoker. There are various resources available to help you quit smoking, including stop-smoking services, nicotine replacement therapy, and medication.

Frequently asked questions