Ø If any of the stroke warning signs occur, go to the doctor immediately! The earlier they catch it, the less rehab you might potentially have to take and greatly decrease the chance of death.

Ø First Aid Before Emergency Care

o Note time when first sign(s) of stroke occurred. Report this time to emergency personnel

o A clot-busting drug should be given within 3 hours of the start of symptoms

o Do not give the person anything to eat or drink

o Do not give aspirin (Powell, p.407)

Ø Action Plan from You: The Owner’s Manual (2005) by Roizen and Oz:

Ø Action 1: Exercise: Do enough physical exercise (a minimum of three 20 minute sessions per week)

Ø Action 2: Know your numbers

o Blood Pressure

§ Optimum Level is 115/76

§ National Median is 129/86

o Have your cholesterol checked

§ HDL cholesterol:

· Greater than 40 mg/dl is acceptable

· 60 mg/dl is superior

§ LDL cholesterol:

· 130 mg/dl if you are otherwise healthy (Roizen and Oz, 2006) (p. 126)