While May is National Stroke Awareness Month, it’s important year round to be aware of the risks of stroke. With nearly 800,000 people experiencing strokes in the United States each year, it’s an ever-important issue that warrants constant mindfulness.
Warning Signs
Stroke is the 4th leading cause of death and the leading cause of adult long-term disability in the United States – so it’s imperative to know the warning signs. Being that more than 2 million brain cells die every minute during a stroke, it’s vital to act fast.
Here are 4 tips for recognizing stroke spelled out in an acronym of the word ‘fast’:
Face – Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face drop?
Arms – Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
Speech – Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is the speech slurred or strange?
Time – If you observe any of the signs, call 9-1-1 immediately.
Different Types
Interestingly, there are two different kinds of stroke – ischemic and hemorrhagic.
Ischemic Stroke – This type accounts for about 87% of stroke and occurs when arteries are blocked by a blood clot or by the gradual build-up of plaque and other fatty deposits.
Hemorrhagic Stroke – Accounting for 13% of all strokes, this type occurs when a blood vessel in the brain breaks and leaks blood into the brain. While the percentage is lower, nearly 30% of all deaths from stroke are related to this type.
Reducing Risk
The risk of stroke impacts everyone – no one is immune. While some risk factors are completely out of your control – including age, race and family history – others are not, including:
- Previous stroke
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Atrial fibrillation
- Diabetes
- Carotid artery disease
Prevention
Here are 10 ways to help reduce your risk of stroke:
- Blood pressure – High blood pressure is a leading cause of stroke. Check it often. If it’s not in the correct range, work with your medical professional to lower your numbers
- Atrial fibrillation – Being that it causes blood to collect in the chambers of your heart – which forms clots that can cause stroke – make sure you’re collaborating with your medical professional to keep it under control.
- Smoking – If you smoke, stop. Smoking doubles your risk for stroke. Your health begins to improve the moment you quit smoking.
- Alcohol – While drinking 1 glass of red wine per day for women and 2 for men can lower your risk for stroke, check with your medical professional to see if alcohol might interfere with other treatments you’re involved with.
- Cholesterol – High cholesterol indirectly increases your risk of stroke by putting you at a greater risk of heart disease. Diet, exercise and medication my help you lower your risk.
- Diet – Make sure to eat a wide variety of colorful fruits, vegetables and herbs to keep your body functioning properly and your arteries free of plaque.
- Diabetes – If you are diabetic, follow your doctor’s recommendations as diabetes can put you at an increased risk for stroke.
- Sodium – Cutting down on sodium in your diet may lower your blood pressure and risk for stroke.
- Circulation – If you have complications with your circulation, it could be fatty deposits blocking arteries to your heart and brain.
- Exercise – A brisk walk, short swim or other exerting activity for 30 minutes a day can help reduce your risk for stroke.
For more details about preventing stroke, visit the National Stroke Association.
If this information was helpful to you, consider sharing it with a family member or friend who could also benefit from these tips.
Source
http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=awareness
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