|
STROKE AWARENESS MONTH
May was National Stroke Awareness Month. The goal of this annual campaign is to ensure that all Americans understand they can Save a Life by knowing about stroke risk factors, prevention, symptom recognition and Acting F.A.S.T.
to treat stroke.
This year National Stroke Association will focus its efforts on educating the public to recognize stroke symptoms, and to Act F.A.S.T.
|
Face
|
Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop? |
|
Arm |
Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? |
| Speech |
Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Does the speech sound slurred or strange? |
| Time |
If you observe any of these signs, it’s time to call 9-1-1 |
Learn what is a stroke.
Learn what is a TIA.
Fact or fiction? Check out stroke myths.
|
|
What is a Stroke?
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in America and the No. 1 cause of adult disability.
80% of strokes are preventable; you can prevent a stroke!
A stroke or "brain attack" occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery (a blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the body) or a blood vessel (a tube through which the blood moves through the body) breaks, interrupting blood flow to an area of the brain. When either of these things happen, brain cells begin to die and brain damage occurs.
|
|
Read more...
|
What is a TIA?
TIA means: |
|
|
T |
= |
Take |
|
I |
= |
Immediate |
|
A |
= |
Action |
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is an event, sometimes called a mini-stroke, or stroke symptoms that always last less than 24 hours before disappearing. While TIAs generally do not cause permanent brain damage, they are a serious warning sign of stroke and should not be ignored!
More than one-third of all people who have experienced a TIA will go on to have an actual stroke. In fact:
5% of people will have a stroke within two days of their TIA
11 % of people will have a stroke within 90 days of their TIA
|
|
Read more...
|
Stroke Symptoms
If you think someone may be having a stroke, Act F.A.S.T. and
do this simple test:
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? Can he/she repeat the sentence correctly? |
|
Time |
If the person shows any of these symptoms, time is important.
Call 911 or get to the hospital fast. Brain cells are dying. |
SUDDEN numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg - especially on one side of the body.
SUDDEN confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
|
|
Read more...
|
Stroke Risk Factors
Anyone can have a stroke. But your chances for having a stroke increase if you meet certain criteria. Some of these criteria, called risk factors, are beyond your control -- such as being over age 55, being male, being African American, Hispanic or Asian/Pacific Islander, or having a family history of stroke. Other stroke risk factors are controllable. Learn what the controllable risk factors are. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page 1 of 2 |
