INDIANAPOLIS – Every 40 seconds someone in the U.S. has a stroke. May is American Stroke Month and the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, is raising awareness nationwide that stroke is largely preventable, treatable, and beatable.
A stroke happens when normal blood flow in the brain is interrupted. Quick identification and treatment equals a higher chance of survival and recovery. Having a stroke puts you at a higher risk for a second one. To reduce your risk, you must identify what caused your stroke and uncover your personal risk factors.
A stroke can happen to anyone at any time. However, the burden and risk of stroke are higher among those with unmanaged risk factors including high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes.
A large majority of strokes can be prevented through education and lifestyle changes such as moving more, eating smart, and managing high blood pressure.
Learn the signs of a stroke and talk to your healthcare team to manage your risk factors. A stroke is an emergency. If someone is having a stroke, they must get medical attention right away.
Spot a stroke F.A.S.T.:
- Face Drooping – Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person’s smile uneven?
- Arm Weakness – Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
- Speech Difficulty – Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like “The sky is blue.”
- Call 911 – If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if they go away, call 911 and get to a hospital immediately. Check the time so you’ll know when the first symptoms appeared.
Learn more about stroke and F.A.S.T. at Stroke.org/StrokeMonth.