Stroke Safety

1.

What is a stroke and what causes one?

A stroke is when a blood vessel in the brain is blocked – an ischemic stroke, which is 80-85% of strokes – or bursts. Bursts are called hemorrhagic strokes and account for 15-20% of strokes.

The prevalence of strokes

Strokes are the 5th leading cause of death in the U.S. and one of the major causes of disability. More than 33% of people who have an untreated mini-stroke have a major stroke within 1 year, and 10-15% have a major stroke within 3 months of the mini-stroke.

2.

Recovering from a stroke

Strokes can happen at any age, including before a person is born, but the risk increases with age past age 55. Depending on the severity and area affected in the brain, partial recovery through rehab is possible, but permanent disability is also possible. After suffering from a stroke, the affected person might even need assistance with daily activities for the rest of their life.

3.

Is someone having a stroke? Act F.A.S.T.

Signs of a stroke are summarized as F.A.S.T.: if someone has Face drooping, Arm weakness or numbness, slurred Speech or speech difficulty – it’s Time to call 911 Now to minimize damage. Other signs and symptoms include confusion, difficulty understanding speech, trouble seeing or walking, or intense unexplainable headache.

4.

Strokes are preventable!

80% of strokes are preventable through proper care measures and lifestyle choices. Your risk of having a stroke dramatically decreases if you have a healthy, active lifestyle, don’t smoke or use tobacco, limit alcohol intake, and manage conditions such as hypertension, heart disease, or diabetes.

Stay Healthy