UCLA Stroke PROTECT Program

“Extending, enriching and empowering the life of every stroke patient, because one stroke is enough.”

Dear Patient and Family,

The intent of this letter is to inform you about the UCLA Stroke PROTECT (Preventing Recurrence of Thromboembolic Events through Coordinated Treatment) Program. The goal of this program is to help reduce your risk for a recurrent stroke. Compelling clinical trial evidence has demonstrated that behavior and risk factor modification can prolong survival in patients with documented cerebrovascular disease (the underlying cause of stroke). You will be contacted for your 1 - 3 weeks and 3 month follow-ups after hospital discharge.

The Stroke PROTECT program has 8 goals. Compliance with each and every one of these is crucial for success in our program:

1) If applicable, take your prescribed antithrombotic medication at the proper times and in the proper dosage.

2) If applicable, take your prescribed Statin at the proper times and in the proper dosage.

3) If applicable, take your prescribed Ace-Inhibitor at the proper times and in the proper dosage.

4) If applicable, take your prescribed diuretic medication at the proper times and in the proper dosage.

5) If you smoke, please stop smoking (please see the How Can I Quit Smoking insert).

6) Follow the American Heart Association Diet Closely (please see the Diet Guidelines insert)

7) Once approved by your doctor you should begin a regular exercise program aiming for a minimum of 30 – 60 minutes 3 to 4 times weekly, supplemented by an increase in daily activities. Walking, jogging, cycling or any aerobic activity, are good ways to achieve this. 8) Begin learning as much as you can about stroke and its warning signs

Your family, friends, and physician should work on these goals with you in order to ensure your compliance. Remind your family that if they make the lifestyle changes with you, not only will your quality of life improve, but theirs will too. 1 UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center Revised 12/08 Enclosed you will find:

 You and Your Stroke/TIA- This packet is filled with information regarding your stroke. Please read through it carefully as it explains the eight program goals in more detail and gives you an idea of why they are so important.

 American Heart Association and UCLA Medical Center inserts- These inserts have been taken directly from the American Heart Association website (http://www.americanheart.org), and from the UCLA Medical Center website (http://www.mednet.ucla.edu). They are designed to give you basic education regarding diet, exercise, and smoking cessation.

 For Your Primary Care Doctor- You are to write your name in the blank and take this letter to your primary care physician. You should set an appointment to see your primary care physician within 6 weeks of discharge from the UCLA hospital. If you do not have a primary care doctor, you are strongly advised to seek one because it is very important that he or she keeps track of your general health after an event such as a stroke.

 UCLA PROTECT Program Patient Self Monitor Log- You are to schedule an appointment with the Stroke physicians at UCLA 3 months following your discharge from the UCLA hospital. During this visit, you and your doctor will go over this sheet as a sort of checklist to make sure you are complying with the goals of the program. During this visit, if there are any more questions that you need answered about your stroke, this will be a great time to ask.

 Laboratory Orders You will need to get a blood test approximately 3 months following discharge from the UCLA Hospital. This can be done when you go to visit your primary care physician, simply give the sheet to the doctor or ask where you are supposed to go to receive the lab test.

The PROTECT program is a means of secondary stroke prevention. The benefit that UCLA receives is the gratification of knowing that we are doing our jobs as doctors and healthcare professionals. Thank you for putting forth the effort to take care of your health.

You may find more useful information on our website: www.strokeprotect.mednet.ucla.edu.

If you have any further questions or concerns about the PROTECT program, please do not hesitate to call us at (310) 825-1806.

Thank you,

Bruce Ovbiagele, MD Director, UCLA Stroke PROTECT Program

2 UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center Revised 12/08