The Roxanna Todd Hodges Stroke Foundation
23382 Mill Creek Drive Suite 130
Laguna Hills, CA 92653-7931
Office phone: 949-305-8450 or
Alternate phone: 888-794-9466
Fax: 949-916-1780
www.rthfoundation.org
NON PROFIT
ORG.
US POSTAGE PAID
IRVINE, CA
PERMIT # 94
STRIDES AGAINST STROKE
Stroke & Stress, Peripheral Arterial Disease
Mar/Apr 2015
“Laughter is the most inexpensive and most effective wonder drug.
Laughter is a universal medicine.” ~Bertrand Russell
In This Issue:

LONG BEACH MEMORIAL MEDICAL
CENTER
Our Mission
The primary mission of the RTH
Stroke Foundation is to prevent
stroke. We do this in two ways:
 Conducting community
education seminars and
screenings
 Providing stroke survivors and
their families with education
and support
Our Vision
We are driven to eradicate
strokes as much as is humanly
possible and to improve the
quality of life of stroke survivors
by doing all we can to mitigate
the after-effects of strokes.
Wednesday, March 25, 2015 1:30-3:30 PM
Stroke & Stress “Laughing Your Stress Away”
Guest Speaker: Dr. Mariuz Wirga
Long Beach Petroleum Club
Does Stress Cause a Stroke?
3636 Linden Ave., Long Beach, CA 90807
Dr. Nerses Sanossian, MD, FAHA
Free: Cholesterol/Glucose & Blood Pressure Screenings
Reservations are required for all screenings.
Visit our website to register at www.rthfoundation.org
Or call: 888-794-9466
The RTH Stroke Foundation/OC Stroke Association is a nonprofit 501 (C) (3) Corporation.
If you would like to be removed from our mailing list please call 949-305-8450.
Any reprinting of this newsletter without prior consent is prohibited.
This Newsletter is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care or advice.
Stress, defined as “a state of mental or emotional strain or
tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances,”
affects everyone. Stroke is a preventable vascular event in the
brain which is the leading cause of adult disability in the Unites States.
The question of whether or not stress is related to stroke is an important
one, yet the relationship is not so clear-cut....cont.pg 5
Stroke Survivor Recovery
Program (SSRP)..pg. 2
 North & South Orange
County Stroke Support
Groups... pg. 2
Update on the Appeal
letter pg. 3

Giving Day Benefiting
The RTH Stroke
Foundation
 What is PAD?…. pg. 4
 Does Stress Cause a
Stroke cont. from pg. 1...
pg. 5
 Stress Less ….pg. 6
 Mini Shepherd’s
Pie…….pg. 7
 Nurses Corner: After a
Stroke...What’s Next?
….pg.7
 Upcoming Seminars ...
pg. 8
Page 2
RTH STROKE FOUNDATION
RTH STROKE FOUNDATION
Page 7
Roxanna Todd Hodges
Mini Shepherd's Pie
Stroke Support Group
Laguna Hills/ South
Orange County
Held: 2nd & 4th Tuesday of
every month
Where:
23382 Mill Creek Dr.
Suite 130
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
Session #1: 10:00am-11:30am
Stroke Caregivers Support
Stroke Survivor Recovery Program
Stroke ~
Survivor ~
Recovery ~
Nearly 800,000
Americans
suffer a stroke
each year,
making stroke
the fourth
leading cause
of death in this
country.
More than 7
million people
in the United
States have
survived a
stroke. You
have needs.
You have
questions.
You and your
loved ones
want the best
rehab
program
possible.
Remember
that survivors
are not the
same.
Group
Program ~
Learn about
physical and
emotional
problems, and
how to combat
them, as well as
day-to-day tips
for starting
recovery at
home.
Session #2: 1:30pm-3:00pm
MindBodySpirit Connection
Stroke Support Group
Brea/ North Orange
County
Held: 1st & 3rd Thursday of
every month
Time: 1:30pm-3:00pm
Support for Survivors &
Caregivers
Where:
Capriana Oakmont
Signature Living
460 S. La Floresta
Brea, CA 92823
Please call our office for
further information &
to make a reservation.
888-794-9466 or
www.rthfoundation.org
Reservations Requested
Please join us and get the help
you need today!
Cost: FREE
Refreshments to be
served!
The RTH Stroke Foundation is a
non-profit 501(C) (3) corporation which
operates the OC Stroke Association. Tax
ID information is available upon request
by calling (888) 794-9466.
Because there is
Life After Stroke
Your Recovery
We realize the challenges that
you might be faced with as well as
a long journey to recovery when
left to deal with so many
unanswered questions, and
challenges, as a result from
having a stroke.
We strive to help improve your
quality of life and achieve your
personal best during recovery.
Making your recovery easier is
our main objective. Our staff is
able to provide support through
our recommended agencies that
service the Orange County, CA
area.
Our Goal
Helping support any stroke
survivor along with their family,
friends, and caregivers is the goal
of the Stroke Survivor Recovery
Program.
We are here to provide resources
to help in the aide of stroke
recovery for stroke survivors.
The RTH Stroke Foundation’s
SSRP team can help determine
what care is best suited for you in
the aftermath of a stroke.
REFERRAL SOURCES
Medical
Professional
teams in post care
needs
Adult Day Care
Centers, Senior
Centers, and
Respite Care
State and
Government
funded programs
Clinic Physiologist
and Physiatrist
Dietician and
Nutrition
Family Support
and Support
Groups
Putting together
a rehab team of
specialists in
Stroke
Special clinics that
specialize in
stroke recovery
Transportation
needs and DMV
resources
Long-term
Insurance needs
Skilled
Nursing,
Sub-acute
Care
Facilities
In-Home Care
and Home
Health
Stroke
Education
In-Home
Education
and visits
Medication
set-up
~ Eating Well®
Ingredients
 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
 1/2 cup chopped onion
 12 ounces 93%-lean ground beef
 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
 1 tablespoon tomato paste
 1 cup reduced-sodium beef broth
 6 ounces baby spinach, chopped
 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, divided
 2 12-ounce packages frozen winter squash puree, thawed
 1/3 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese








Serving Size:
310 calories;
13 g fat (5 g sat, 3 g mono);
70 mg cholesterol;
26g carbohydrates;
29 g protein;
5 g fiber;
708 mg sodium;
421 mg potassium.
Equipment:

Four 10-ounce broiler-safe
ramekins
Preparation
1. Position rack in upper third of oven; preheat broiler.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook, stirring, until beginning to
soften, about 2 minutes. Reduce heat to medium, stir in beef, flour and tomato paste, and cook, stirring, until the beef is mostly browned, about 3 minutes. Add broth, scraping up any browned bits with
a wooden spoon. Bring to a boil and cook, stirring occasionally, until the broth is the consistency of
thick gravy, about 4 minutes. Stir in spinach, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder; cook
until the spinach is just wilted, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat.
3.
Place squash in a fine-mesh sieve and gently press on it to extract excess liquid. Transfer to a
bowl. Stir in the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder. Divide the meat mixture
among four 10-ounce broiler-safe ramekins. Top each with about 1/2 cup of the squash. Place the
ramekins on a baking sheet.
4.
Broil until heated through and bubbling around the edges, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle with
cheese and broil until it is just melted, about 3 minutes more.
Tiffanie Hylland
RTH Stroke Foundation
LVN #282561
is the founder of our
Foundation. Roxanna
passed away peacefully in 2011. If she
would have known the
warning signs and the
risk factors, things
may have been very different for
her. When Roxanna suffered 3
major strokes, her understanding of
the critical need for Stroke ‘brain
attack’ awareness and treatment
advances led her to establish the
Roxanna Todd Hodges
Foundation. Her wish was to inform
the public on Stroke Awareness.
Today, the RTH Stroke Foundation
provides free prevention
screenings and seminars to local
area hospitals, senior centers, and
churches. Her last words spoken
were: “Strike out Stroke”
Nurses Corner

After a Stroke….. What’s Next?

How do I know which physical therapist is right for my husband?




My mom has fallen twice within two weeks, I need help!

I work and my wife needs transportation to doctor’s appointments. What are
my options?

These are just a few of the questions and concerns families are overwhelmed
with after a loved one has had a stroke. With the alarming numbers of strokes
occurring each year, the needs in post stroke recovery are sadly scarce. The
RTH Foundation has seen this need and has developed the SSRP ~ Stroke
Survivor Recovery Program. This is a free service available to stroke survivors
and their families who are looking for help after stroke. The SSRP program
offers referrals to Physical, Speech and Occupational therapists that specialize
in stroke recovery. Listed are just a few other resources and referrals the
SSRP program has to offer.
If you or your loved one is in need of assistance following a stroke,
Please call the RTH Stroke Foundation at 888-794-9466






Stroke Education
Clinic Physiologist and Physiatrist
Transportation needs and DMV resources
In-Home Education and visits
Dietician and Nutrition
Long-term Insurance needs
Medication set-up
Medical Professional teams in post care
needs
Family Support and Support Groups
Referrals to Skilled Nursing, Sub-acute
Care Facilities, Adult Day Care Centers,
Senior Centers, and Respite Care
Putting together a rehab team of specialists
in Stroke
Referrals to In-Home Care and Home
Health
State and Government funded programs
Special clinics that specialize in stroke
recovery
Page 6
RTH STROKE FOUNDATION
This simple test
will help you
detect stroke
symptoms and Act
F. A. S. T.
Few Americans
know the symptoms
of stroke. Learning
them - and acting
FAST when they
occur - could save
your life or the life of
a loved one.
F = FACE Ask the
person to smile. Does
one side of the face
droop?
A = ARM Ask the
person to raise both
arms. Does one arm
drift downward?
S = SPEECH Ask the
person to repeat a
simple sentence. Does
the speech sound
slurred or strange?
T = TIME
If you
observe any of these
signs, it’s time to call
9-1-1 or get to the
nearest Stroke Center
or hospital.
Page 3
RTH STROKE FOUNDATION
On behalf of the RTH Stroke Foundation I would like to thank
everyone for their generous donations to support the Stroke Survivor
Recovery Program. Because of the donations, we know it will help
our Stroke Survivor Recovery Program flourish in 2015.
STRESS LESS
Five research –proven ways, from do-it yourself
to professional, to un-friend your inner worrier.
WORK IT OUT: Exercise reduces feelings of tension, even for
women who have been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder.
In a British study, 6 weeks of resistance workouts significantly calmed
participants’ worry - enough that 60% were no longer diagnosed with
the condition.
KEEP THE WATER BOTTLE HANDY: Mild dehydration reducing fluids just 1% through exercise - can cause moods to darken
and tension to increase, a multi-university study has found. But don’t
replenish your stores with extra cups of coffee: About 15% to 25% of
people are genetically more susceptible to getting a jangle of anxiety
from caffeine.
CALL A PRO: If anxiety is interfering with your job or home life, it’s
time to seek help. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a proven
treatment for anxiety disorders,. You will learn to confront distorted
thoughts, calm your reactions, and gradually expose yourself to things
you fear. Talk to your doctor about therapy. Your doctor may suggest
medication. Not to worry - these days, antidepressants, not
habit-forming drugs are typically the first-line choices.
LIVE IT UP: Adopt the philosophy behind a new mindfulnessoriented approach called: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT):
Patients learn to get on with life despite their anxiety. Focus on the
things you care about, whether or not the worries come along for the
ride.
TRY MEDITATION: When you’re anxious and imagining that something bad might happen, you suffer a snowballing of thoughts, emotions,
and physical reactions - even if nothing has actually occurred. In mindfulness meditation, you learn to watch your thoughts without acting on
them. Creating some distance from emotions and thoughts allows you
to decide the next step without overreacting or avoiding. — Susan Ince
(Good Housekeeping)
The RTH Stroke Foundation is a community based nonprofit
organization, solely focused on primary stroke education. Your gift will
help support any stroke survivor along with their family, friends, and
caregivers. We are here to provide resources to help in the aide of
stroke recovery for stroke survivors. Your donations provide the
resources that will help aid the Stroke Survivor Recovery Program.
We appreciate your support and look forward to your continued
partnership!
Sincerely yours,
Guy Navarro
Guy Navarro
Executive Director
RTH Stroke Foundation
23382 Mill Creek Dr., Suite 130, Laguna Hills, CA 92653
888.794.9466 toll free | 949.305.8450 direct |
Giving Day Benefiting: The RTH Stroke Foundation
In celebration of the Orange County Community Foundation’s
25th anniversary, the Orange County Community Foundation
is super-charging local giving by hosting Orange County’s
first-ever countywide giving day on April 21-22, 2015.
Secure, tax-deductible donations will be accepted on iheartOC.org during
a 30-hour period, and participating Orange County nonprofits will be
eligible to receive funding through bonus awards and prizes provided by OCCF and our Giving Day
partners.
The goal of the Giving Day is to inspire our community to come together with extra-mile giving in
support of the exemplary work of local nonprofits. OCCF is aiming high with the goal of delivering $2
million to OC nonprofits in a 30-hour period. OCCF is investing $500,000 to establish the bonus
pool with a goal of generating an additional $1.5 million in online donations. Let's come together to
show Orange County nonprofits how much we care!
i
♥oc
Please visit our website at www.rthfoundation.org for further instructions as
this great event comes upon us. When you give make sure you click on the RTH
Stroke Foundation so your donation goes to the right place. Thank you for
participating in this wonderful life changing event.
Page 4
RTH STROKE FOUNDATION
WHAT IS PAD
(Peripheral Arterial Disease)?
PAD is a narrowing of the peripheral arteries, most
common in the arteries of the pelvis and legs. PAD
is similar to coronary artery disease (CAD) and carotid artery
disease. All three of these conditions are caused by narrowed
and blocked arteries in various critical regions of the body.
Hardened arteries (or atherosclerosis) in the coronary artery
region, restricts the blood supply to the heart muscle. Carotid
artery disease refers to atherosclerosis in the arteries that
supply blood to the brain.
Quick Facts about PAD:
The most common symptoms of PAD are cramping, pain or tiredness in the leg or hip muscles
while walking or climbing stairs. Typically, this pain
goes away with rest and returns when you walk again.
 Many people mistake the symptoms of PAD for something
else.
 PAD often goes undiagnosed by healthcare professionals.
 People with peripheral arterial disease have four to five
times more risk of heart attack or stroke.
Left untreated, PAD can lead to gangrene and amputation.
Added risks for PAD:



If you smoke, you have an especially high risk for PAD.
If you have diabetes, you have an especially high risk for PAD.
People with high blood pressure or high cholesterol are at risk for PAD.
The good news for PAD patients:



PAD is easily diagnosed in a simple, painless way.
You can take control by leading a heart-healthy lifestyle and following the recommendations of your
healthcare professional.
Most cases of PAD can be managed with lifestyle changes and medication.
Atherosclerosis and PAD:
Atherosclerosis is a disease in which plaque builds up in the wall of an artery. PAD is usually caused
by atherosclerosis in the peripheral arteries (or outer regions away from the heart). Plaque is made up
of deposits of fats, cholesterol and other substances. Plaque formations can grow large enough to
significantly reduce the blood's flow through an artery. When a plaque formation becomes brittle or
inflamed, it may rupture, triggering a blood clot to form. A clot may either further narrow the artery, or
completely block it.
If the blockage remains in the peripheral arteries, it can cause pain, changes in skin color, sores or
ulcers and difficulty walking. Total loss of circulation to the legs and feet can cause gangrene and loss
of a limb.
If the blockage occurs in a coronary artery, it can cause a heart attack. Heart attacks happen when an
area of the heart tissue dies from lack of blood flow. When it occurs in a carotid artery, it can cause a
stroke.
It's important to learn the facts about PAD. As with any disease, the more you understand, the more
likely you'll be able to help your healthcare professional make an early diagnosis and start treatment.
PAD has common symptoms, but many people with PAD never have any symptoms at all. AHA
RTH STROKE FOUNDATION
Page 5
Our daily lives are filled with the stress of working,
family obligations, finances, and finding the time to
juggle it all. Often times, we tend to forget to set
aside time to take care of ourselves. Taking care of
Sudden numbness or
oneself requires healthy eating, exercising, and
following-up with physicians for checkups and
weakness of the leg
management of chronic conditions. The leading
Sudden confusion or
modifiable risk factor for stroke is elevated blood
trouble understanding
pressure (hypertension) and maintaining a healthy
Sudden trouble seeing in
blood pressure can make a major difference in reducing your risk of
stroke. Other modifiable risk factors include ensuring your cholesterol is one or both eyes
under control and, if you have diabetes, ensuring your blood sugars are Sudden trouble walking,
within a normal range. The first-line therapy for stroke prevention is a
dizziness, loss of balance
healthy lifestyle. This article aims to describe the relationship between
or coordination
stress and stroke and answer some basic questions about the relationSudden severe headache
ship.
with no known cause
We all have some sort of stress in our lives – so how do we keep it
under control? Does having stress increase my risk of stroke? The
answer is no. While being chronically stressed can lead to cardiovascular disease, the link with stroke is not as clearly established and takes
into consideration a whole host of factors such as lifestyle, habits,
High Blood Pressure
personality type, and anxiety. Stressful habits and having a Type A
personality does have an association with stroke, but more research is Heart Disease
needed before we can definitively say that stress is a non-traditional risk Diabetes and
factor for having a stroke. What it may really be is that after having a
High Cholesterol
stroke, your stress level is significantly increased since your level of
Sleep Apnea
function has changed and may make you more dependent on others
Poor Diet
physically, financially, and mentally. Stress may make you eat unLack of Exercise
healthy foods and may make you forget to take your blood pressure/
cholesterol/diabetic medications, but stress itself DOES NOT increase
TIA’s and Prior Stroke
your risk of stroke. Instead, the actions taken while under stress like
Excessive Alcohol Use
overeating, not sleeping, and neglecting self-care are what may lead to
Stress and Depression
having a stroke.
Cigarette Smoking
Although it is very difficult to reduce the number of stressors in life, one
can change their approach to stressful events. The most effective ways to reduce the impact of stressful
situations on your health is to have a plan. For example, when stress levels are very high, a 5-minute
break away from the stressor spent performing deep breathing and mental relaxation has been shown to
reduce blood pressure and improve focus. Another factor shown to reduce stress levels is regular exercise. Very often exercise is the first thing to be stopped when under stress, yet it is a vital tool in stress
management. An exercise regimen has to be incorporated into your life in regular and recurring cycles as
a matter of habit. The American Heart Association recommends an average 40 minutes of moderate- to
vigorous-intensity aerobic activity 3 or 4 times per week to reduce blood pressure, cholesterol, and cardiovascular risk.
When you are under stress, remember to take deep breaths and keep diet and exercise on your mind.
Activities such as yoga, meditation, and playing sports are all great ways to relieve stress. A brisk 40
minute walk or a nice swim in the pool can help get rid of stress as well as reduce stroke risk. The most
important thing you can do to reduce your risk of a stroke is to see your primary care physician regularly
and make sure that all your modifiable stroke risk factors are under control (hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, stop smoking). If you have any symptoms of a stroke, you must call 9-1-1 and get to the
nearest emergency room in your area.
Warning Signs
for Stroke
Risk Factors for
Stroke
~Dr. Nerses Sanossian, MD, FAHA Roxanna Todd Hodges Comprehensive Stroke Clinic, University of Southern California