General News
On average, someone in the United States has a stroke every 40 seconds, making it the fifth leading cause of death. Acting fast can mean the difference between life and death during a stroke, so understanding the signs, symptoms and risk factors is extremely important.
Everyone knows that when you have the symptoms of a heart attack, you should seek emergency treatment right away. That’s because time is muscle. A heart attack cuts off blood flow to the cells in the heart muscle, causing them to die.
A stroke could just as well be called a brain attack. Just like in a heart attack, a stroke is caused when blood flow is cut off, causing cells to die. In this case, it is nerve cells in the brain that may control speech or motor functions in the arms or legs. Strokes can be caused when blood vessels are blocked or when a blood vessel ruptures.
What are the risk factors for stroke? Age, for starters. Older adults, meaning those over 65, are at greater risk, though young people can also experience a stroke. Men are also more likely to have a stroke, though women are more likely to die from stroke. If members of your family have had a stroke, you are at greater risk of stroke yourself.
High blood pressure is the number one risk factor for stroke. Other risk factors include smoking, diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, sickle cell disease, stress and a diet high in salt.
Because more than two-thirds of African Americans have at least one of these risk factors, this population has a higher risk for stroke and a higher death rate from stroke than any other racial group.
While you can’t control your age, gender, race or family history, nearly 80 percent of strokes can be prevented by making lifestyle changes and managing medical conditions.
Protect yourself from stroke by following a low-fat diet and reducing your salt intake. Exercise regularly and lose excess body weight. Find ways to manage stress and if you smoke, quit. Talk with your healthcare provider about your specific risk factors and how to best manage them. Most importantly, learn the signs of a stroke.
Stroke symptoms include:
- Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
If you suspect that you or someone else is having a stroke, follow the steps below to act F.A.S.T.! A stroke victim won’t be able to complete these tasks without exhibiting impaired speech or weakness of the arm or face. If anyone experiences any of these symptoms, time is important.
Act F.A.S.T.
Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Are the words slurred?
Time: If the person shows any of these symptoms, time is important.
Call 9-1-1 immediately if you or someone you are with has any of the above symptoms. DO NOT wait to see if symptoms improve. Time lost is brain lost!
