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Stroke fair provides valuable information About a quarter of those participating in a health fair at MUSC have medium to high risk for stroke. Five physicians, eight nurses and seven volunteers screened 100 MUSC employees for stroke and diabetes during the stroke fair held on the portico in April.   The employees received a cholesterol test, lipid test and blood sugar test, and were surveyed for various risk factors, such as lifestyle and family history.   Testing resulted in 53 written records of which four showed a high risk for stroke due to elevated total cholesterol (TC) of 240 or higher. Fourteen people had results showing medium risk, or TC readings of between 200-239. Most people appeared to be at low risk for stroke, having TC levels of below 200.   Most participants heeded the warnings and agreed to discuss the results with their physician. The main risk factors for stroke are high blood pressure (>140/90, medium risk 120-139/80-89); high cholesterol (TC greater than 240; medium risk is 200-239); diabetes (high risk plus diabetes, medium risk if borderline); hyperlipidemia; smoking; atrial fibrillation (those with irregular heartbeat are at risk); overweight; inactive ; and family history (a family history of stroke increases the likelihood for stroke).   “Everyone should be assessed for vascular and stroke risk factors by her or his primary care physician,” said Nikolaos Papamitsakis, M.D., director of MUSC’s Stroke Service. “Those who are at a high risk of stroke are advised to monitor and appropriately treat blood pressure; have tests to determine a lipid profile and blood glucose. Abstinence from tobacco, regular exercise and weight control is urged.”   Papamitsakis also said that patients should be screened for specific conditions associated with higher risk of stroke, such as sickle cell anemia. Genes associated with higher stroke risk have been reported, but not universally confirmed; and no treatment is available for patients identified with genetic mutations, he said.   The physicians who participated in the fair were Papamitsakis, Julio Chalela, M.D., Ashok Patel, M.D., Rima Ash, M.D., and Kim Thomas, M.D. The nurses were Chris Zensen, R.N., Melissa Hill, R.N., Cindy Steffen, R.N., Audrey Dobberfuhl, R.N., Cameron Carone, R.N., Deborah Turner, R.N., Julia Barnett, R.N., and Amy Funderburk.   Stroke prevention guidelines can be obtained at http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=PREVENT.     Friday, June 1, 2007 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.