STROKE AWARENESS MONTH : What are the risk factors?

Do you know, May is Stroke Awareness Month across the country.

As per the American Stroke Association, stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States.

CentraCare Health says people need to act FAST at the first signs of a stroke. FAST means look for facial weakness, arm weakness, speech difficulties, and T is for Time to call 911.

• Around 130,000 people are killed each year and around 795,000 people have a new or recurrent stroke each year.
• Strokes occur when a blood vessel carrying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or ruptures.
• When this occurs, part of the brain is deprived of blood and oxygen, destroying millions of valuable nerve cells within minutes.
• The resulting damage can lead to significant disability including paralysis, speech problems, and emotional difficulties.

Early warning signs

The acronym FAST can help a person to remember the most common symptoms of a stroke, which are:

• Face drooping. A stroke can cause numbness or weakness on one side of the face. When a person with this symptom tries to smile, only one side of the mouth may respond.
• Arm weakness. A person having a TIA or stroke may be unable to raise one or both arms above the head and keep them there.
• Speech difficulty. A person may have difficulty speaking, or their words may not make sense.
• Time. If a person has any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical assistance. A stroke is a medical emergency, and receiving urgent treatment can prevent further injury to the brain.

Other stroke symptoms also may include:

• Sudden severe headache without a known cause

• Sudden weakness or numbness, sometimes on one side of the body

• Sudden dizziness, difficulty walking, or loss of balance/coordination

• Sudden confusion and trouble speaking or understanding

• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes

Stroke risk factors

• High blood pressure

• Heavy alcohol use

• High cholesterol

• Physical inactivity and obesity

• Heart disease

• Atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat)

• Diabetes

• Family history of stroke

• Smoking

Leading a healthy lifestyle, including lowering risks factors like high blood pressure and weight, can also help reduce your stroke risk.

For more information about strokes, visit centracare.com.