American Stroke Month: Reducing Risk Through Awareness

May is American Stroke Month to spotlight the risks, warning signs, and prevention. Stroke can happen to anyone of any age, including children and adults. There are many factors that can affect the risk of stroke, such as smoking, obesity, and hypertension.

“There are two main causes of stroke. An ischemic stroke is caused by a blocked artery in the brain. A hemorrhagic stroke is caused by leaking or bursting of a blood vessel in the brain. Some people may have only a temporary disruption of blood flow to the brain, known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA). A TIA doesn't cause lasting symptoms” (mayoclinic). Let's look at key indicators and actions to take if you spot a stroke.

From The American Heart Association, BE FAST

B = Balance Loss

Is there a sudden loss of balance or coordination? Is the person having trouble walking or experiencing dizziness?

E = Eye (Vision) Changes

Are there sudden changes in vision? Ask the person if they are experiencing blurred vision, double vision, or loss of sight in one or both eyes.

F = Face Drooping

Does one side of the face droop, or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person's smile uneven?

A = Arm Weakness

Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

S = Speech Difficulty

Is speech slurred or difficult to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence.

T = Time to Call 911

If you have any of these symptoms or see someone else having them, call 911 immediately!

A stroke is a medical emergency and every moment counts. Don't wait to see if symptoms get better and call for help right away if you spot stroke symptoms. Many risk factors for stroke cannot be controlled, such as pre-existing medical conditions, age, sex, and ethnicity. However, we can reduce risk through healthy lifestyle habits such as nutrition, exercise, and sleep. So this American Stroke Month, take a moment to spread awareness, start meaningful conversations, and get involved to take action for better health.

Resources

www.stroke.org/en/about-the-american-stroke-association/stroke-awareness-month

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stroke/symptoms-causes/syc-20350113