The More You Know

STROKE PREVENTION

"If you think you're having a stroke, sudden warning signs like: dizziness, headache, slurred speech or numbness could mean you're in trouble. Act fast and call 911 at the first sign of stroke." - Brian Williams, NBC Nightly News

The Importance of Prevention

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in America and a leading cause of adult disability. Up to 80% of strokes are preventable, so you CAN stop a stroke from happening. Knowing the warning signs can help you and others find medical attention fast.

What can put someone at risk for a stroke, or "brain attack"? A stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery or a blood vessel, and blood flow to the brain becomes interrupted. When brain cells die during a stroke, the abilities of speech, movement and memory are lost. For example, someone who is having stroke may experience symptoms such as weakness of an arm or leg. Having a stroke can lead to a person being paralyzed on one side or lose their ability to speak. Some people recover completely from strokes, but more than 2/3 of survivors will have some type of disability afterward.

Take Action to Lower Your Risk

There are different types of risk factors that make someone more likely to have a stroke. Things you can do to lower the risk of stroke include steps to prevent and control high blood pressure, diabetes and other chronic conditions.

1. Genetic risk factors run in families.
Genes play a role in stroke risk factors such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and vascular conditions. An increased risk for stroke within a family can be due to factors such as a common sedentary lifestyle or poor eating habits as well as hereditary factors.

2. Prevent and control high blood pressure.
High blood pressure is easily checked. It can be controlled with lifestyle changes and with medicines when prescribed by a doctor.

3. Prevent and control diabetes.
People with diabetes have a higher risk of stroke, but they can also work to reduce their risk.

4. Treat atrial fibrillation.
Atrial fibrillation is an irregular beating of the heart. It can cause clots that can lead to stroke. A doctor can prescribe medicines to help reduce the chance of clots.

5. Prevent and control high blood cholesterol.
High blood cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease, which can increase the risk for stroke. Preventing and treating high blood cholesterol includes eating a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol and higher in fiber, keeping a healthy weight, getting regular exercise or taking medicines when prescribed by a doctor.

6. Obesity.
Obesity and excess weight put a strain on the entire circulatory system. Obesity also makes people more likely to have high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes -- all of which can increase risk for stroke. Adopting healthy eating habits and increasing physical activity can help reduce stroke risk.

Know How to Prevent Stroke

Luckily, strokes CAN be prevented. The following list includes the most important habits that can make you less likely to have a stroke:

• Stop using tobacco: Smoking can affect a number of things that relate to risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. Not smoking is one of the best things a person can do to lower their risk of stroke. Quitting smoking will also help to lower a person's risk of stroke.
• Use alcohol moderately: Excessive alcohol use can increase the risk of high blood pressure. People who drink should do so in moderation.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Engage in regular physical activity: The Surgeon General recommends that adults should engage in moderate level physical activities for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week.
• Eat a healthy diet: Along with healthy weight and regular physical activity, an overall healthy diet can help to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. This includes eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, lowering or cutting out salt or sodium and eating less saturated fat and cholesterol to lower the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease, which can lead to stroke.

Know the Symptoms

If you feel any of the symptoms of a stroke (sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg - especially on one side of the body, sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes, sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding), get help immediately.

If you think someone is having a stroke, act F.A.S.T. and call for help.

• 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? Can he/she repeat the sentence?
• Time: If the person shows any of these symptoms, time is important. Call 911 or get to a hospital quickly.

Many people don’t know that having a transient ischemic attack (TIA), sometimes called a mini-stroke, is a serious warning sign of stroke and should not be ignored. Click here to use an interactive map of the body to learn where symptoms of a TIA can occur.

To Know More...

National Stroke Association
www.stroke.org