The American Heart Association Stroke Outcome Classification
View Executive Summary
http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/97/24/2474.full
View Executive Summary
http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/97/24/2474.full

In my last post I had asked if you could spare a moment to give me your 2 cents on how you are keeping your blood thin after your stroke, PFO closure or in general for brain and heart health / stroke prevention. While I should have this article ready for you early next week I could still use your help if you haven’t taken my quick poll (one click-maybe two- that’s all!)
Go to my nutrition poll and previous post at know-stroke.org
Here’s the link to Dr. Oz’s brain boosting smoothie recipe with Omega 3′s:
Dr. Oz’s Brain-Boosting Smoothie | The Dr. Oz Show.
ps- in case you are not in to using hemp oil as your source of Omega-3′s as Dr. Oz’s recipe suggests, then simply break open a few capsules (depending on your product dose) of omega-3 fish oil and blend…
Here’s the omega oil I use- Mercury Free Ester C Omega
Final word: While you are visiting Dr. Oz’s site be sure to make a show request there for the importance of knowing your stroke risks and the connection between the heart and brain. Dr. Oz has discussed headaches, stroke, migraines on his shows or with Oprah in the past. The problem is the topics need to be discussed along with the mention of PFO. So, drop the Dr. O, or the other Big O a line. Here’s a few talking points to make- see my Oprah Challenge post
David Dansereau
know-stroke.org
I’m working on an article for my nutrition site my-nutrition-coach.com . The topic for this article is Omega-3 oils and I am researching the latest nutritional science and what (if any) advice medical professionals are giving to suggest alternate methods to keep your blood thin. I am especially interested in the nutritional advice given for those at risk of a repeat stroke or who might be on a prescription med, for example post-op after PFO closure).
How you can help me with your 2 cents:
If you are on a prescription medicine protocol of any kind after your event, what dietary advice was offered to you (in addition to traditional blood thinning meds)?
Please take this 2 second nutrition/medication poll:
I’d appreciate your feedback. I’ve had many readers ask me what are my thoughts on Omega-3′s, so I’ve provided this link to a recent article on the Omega3 I use.
As you may know it is buyer beware with all supplements so here’s what you should know to review your own brand.
I’ll keep you posted when the results from this poll roll in. Thanks for helping me tackle these PFO/Stroke/Migraine “Gray Areas” one topic at a time.
David P. Dansereau
Know-Stroke.org
Audience: Cardiology healthcare professionals, patients
FDA notified healthcare professionals and patients that a Boxed Warning has been added to the prescribing information for Plavix, an anti-blood clotting medication. The Boxed Warning in the drug label will include information to:
Plavix is given to reduce the risk of heart attack, unstable angina, stroke, and cardiovascular death in patients with cardiovascular disease. Plavix works by decreasing the activity of blood cells called platelets, making platelets less likely to form blood clots. A data summary and additional information for healthcare professionals and patients are provided in the linked Drug Safety Communication.
Read the complete MedWatch 2010 Safety summary, including a link to the Drug Safety Communication at:
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm204256.htm
Did you know? MedWatch is a free service of the FDA and you can opt in to their email list to get updates like this one delivered to you-no charge. Visit the link to their site above to sign up.
Your corporation, individual brand, or perhaps a special message or product you wish to promote can now be advertised during the 2010 Boston Marathon. (Please note: We’ve made a slight modification from the video demonstration above to improve visibility for corporate advertisers. The corporate ad placement will be on the back of the actual running singlet as shown in picture below vs. the front and back shoulders on the long sleeve shirt shown in video .)
Click for my stroke awareness progress report and corporate donation sponsor form for the Boston Marathon here:
2010 Tedy’s Team Corporate Sponsor (Boston Marathon)
Print and mail in your donation
If you missed my last video post on why I still need your help to spread stroke awareness please click here to play that video message.
Thank You!
David Dansereau for know-stroke.org
Should all young athletes in the US have their hearts screened?
They do in Italy. Why not here?
by David Dansereau for know-stroke.org
My guess is you’ll hear more about this debate on the nightly news this evening and in the days to come. That is because two studies published yesterday are reigniting an emotionally charged debate about whether young athletes should be screened with an $88 heart test to possibly reduce the small risk of sudden death from an undiagnosed heart problem. This debate also follows the recent death of two young athletes who died from sudden cardiac death. (They were Chicago Bears defensive end Gaines Adams, 26, and Southern Indiana basketball center Jeron Lewis, 21, both presumably from sudden cardiac death).
[Personal Sidebar: Screen all our KIDS involved in sports! While this debate continues, educate our coaches, parents and teachers how to respond FAST in the event of an emergency (stroke or cardiac arrest) from a heart defect. If I had been screened as a kid, I may not have had my 1st (or 2nd) stroke!! ]
Here’s all the headlines from today and links to the full stories:
Study: EKGs for young athletes cost-effective
Ask Dr. H: Young athletes and sudden cardiac death
Studies spur debate on heart tests for athletes
$88 scan detects deadly heart defect in athletes
Screening athletes could prevent sudden deaths
You are not running, why should I donate?
If you have considered that it would still be the right thing to do but then clicked away, I’m here on video to remind you of why your donation to the American Stroke Association is important. If you have donated to my fundraising and stroke awareness efforts in past, I sincerely thank you again. I look forward to your continued support. I appreciate every penny that comes in, especially in a difficult economy. You can help make a difference. Every donation counts. I hope you have been helped by my blog at know-stroke.org, and now is the time for you to step up. It has been my intent from the start that through putting my story out there I might further educate others about their own condition. In doing so I have been blessed to get to know many of you personally over the phone and many have expressed thanks and stated they will become more informed in their local community to spread awareness. That is terrific! If you play my video you’ll see why (more than ever this year) I’ll need your help. That’s right, if you’ve already played the video, you know a knee injury has forced me out of the Boston Marathon this year. Even so, I can run the marathon in spirit with my sister and continue to move forward with my national stroke awareness campaign.
Please play the video and read my attached campaign summary and stroke awareness update I have prepared here> knowstrokedotorgprogressreport . I’ve also included a print version of my fundraising request form if you would prefer to mail in a donation here> 2010BostonMarathonPrintDonationForm.
You can also donate right now through our secure online donation link. Donations to the American Stroke association are tax deductible. You’ll see when you click the link, my wife and I have started off the donations by showing our support for my sister Lori through a $150 dollar donation (or $50 each) to honor each of our three children.
Corporate Donors can Cross the Boston Marathon finish line too!
In my next post later in the week I’ll update you on how top corporate or individual donors can get their logo or brand visible and cross the finish line with my sister. So, stay tuned and THANK YOU!
Best Regards,
David Dansereau
Know-Stroke.org

Read my Goal Setting Article in Stroke Smart Magazine
How to Subscribe to StrokeSmart™ Magazine:
For qualified free subscriptions to StrokeSmart™ please call 1-800 STROKES (800-787-6537) or
posted by David Dansereau for know-stroke.org
It doesn’t have to be May (Stroke Awareness Month) to review this list of important (and potentially life saving) guidelines:
2. Find out if you have atrial fibrillation – a type or irregular heartbeat. If left untreated, AF can increase stroke risk four to six times.
3. If you smoke, stop. Smoking doubles stroke risk.
4. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. Recent studies have suggested that modest alcohol consumption (up to two glasses of wine or alcohol equivalent) may reduce stroke risk.
5. Find out if you have high cholesterol. High cholesterol can indirectly increase stroke risk by putting people at greater risk of heart disease.
6. If you’re diabetic, follow your doctor’s recommendation carefully to control your diabetes. People with diabetes have a higher stroke risk. This may be due to circulation problems that diabetes can cause.
7. Include exercise in the activities you enjoy in your daily routine. Active people tend to have lower cholesterol levels. Regular exercise also seems to slow down or stop the clogging of blood vessels by deposits.
8. Enjoy a lower sodium (salt), lower fat diet. Too much salt may contribute to high blood pressure and make it more difficult to control. A diet that’s low in fat will likely include vegetables, lean meats such as chicken and fish, low-fat dairy products and a limited number of eggs.
9. Ask your doctor if you have circulation problems which increase your risk for stroke.
10. If you experience any stroke symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. CALL 911! Every minute counts!
Source:National Stroke Association’s Prevention Advisory Board Stroke Prevention Guidelines.
Hi my name is Marcy , I had TIAS/strokes 12 years ago at age 30. With little to no permanent damage. I was just diagnosed with pfo, i am having a surgery to close on December 28Th. i have been living with symptoms for so long I had just gotten used to feeling bad from time to time. I have been to many doctors over the years, and many ER visits, but no one really seem that concerned. MRIs show many infarct in my cerebellum[8]. although the lab techs always looked surprised, the doctors either looked at me like i was crazy or blamed it on stress, smoking, and birth control, all great explanations all of which i quit,, well stress is impossible, But the symptoms remained.
thanks to an ivf doctor who decided to check into my health back ground, before proceeding. I now may live to see my grandchildren. YES!! more needs to be out there about PFO. It needs to be taken seriously for young ,and old, paying special attention while women are trying to conceive or are pregnant. Hormone level changes your internal ballgame significantly!
I’m afraid of surgery, But way more afraid of the unknown [strokes]. the procedure I’m having is through the groin area an seems to have a very high success rate. I cannot stress enough how important it is to get more info to the public. 25% of the population have this problem. To some it’s life changing even without symptoms, and with symptoms no one seems to take it serious. I was too young to be taken serious at the time, thank God nothing catastrophic happened to me.
looking forward to getting back to a normal stroke free life!
I wish you the best on December 28th. I had a stroke in August 2009 and had heart surgery 2 weeks later at UAB in Birmingham Al. I, too, was terrified of surgery but considering the alternative surgery was a breeze. Only four weeks after having surgery I was able to complete a 5k. I have been looking for opportunities to help with stroke awareness. Sadly, very little is out there. Best of luck your way!
Thank you Marcy for sharing your story on my blog. I agree with you 100% on getting the word out there re: PFO/stroke/migraine/stress connection and it begins with your voice. I encourage you to spread awareness as I can tell you realize how lucky you are. I started this blog out of the same frustration that you described so well regarding docs missing this so often. Pls keep us all posted on your recovery. You will do great!
ps-I also agree with Erin who recently commented on your post that surgery is a breeze once you get all the options and decide with your physicians it is the right option for you. As Erin posted, you get back to doing very quickly after this procedure. I’m now training for my 2nd Boston Marathon, post stroke and PFO closure and have been migraine free for almost 2.5 years.
David 12:27 am on April 24, 2010 Permalink |
Clever PSA’s here by American Stroke Assoc. Would like the embed code if you can provide here to add to know-stroke.org.
Thanks for posting!