Stroke Awareness

May is Stroke Awareness Month.  A stroke is a serious medical emergency. “Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of adult disability.  About 800,000 people in the United States have a stroke each year” (Center for Disease Control [, 2014, para. 2).     A stroke occurs when an artery supplying blood to the brain is either blocked or bursts. When the brain does not receive the blood it needs, it begins to die.

Some signs of stroke include:

§  Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body

§  Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding

§  Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes

§  Sudden trouble walking, dizziness or loss of balance

§  Sudden severe headache with no known cause (National Stroke Association, 2014)

Use the FAST acronym to remember warning signs:

§  F = FACE   Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

§  A = ARMS:  Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

§  S = SPEECH:  Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred?

§  T = TIME:  If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately (National Stroke Association, 2014).

Stroke prevention tips:

§  If you smoke, quit. 

§  Monitor blood pressure.  High blood pressure increases the risk for stroke.

§  If you have atrial fibrillation, work with your doctor to manage it.

§  If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.

§  If your cholesterol is high, work with your doctor to control it (National Stroke Association, 2014).

The risk of stroke increases with age, but can happen at any age.  As with virtually all medical conditions, our lifestyle choices can make a difference.   A healthy diet and daily exercise can significantly reduce the risks of stroke.      

References

Center for Disease Control. (2014). Stroke. Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/stroke/

National Stroke Association. (2014). Stroke 101: fast facts on stroke. Retrieved from:

     http://www.stroke.org/site/DocServer/STROKE_101_Fact_Sheet.pdf?docID=4541