May is National Stroke Awareness Month. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. During a stroke, 32,000 brain cells are lost per second, 1.9 million are lost per minute, and 120 million are lost per hour.
TIME is brain! Know the signs and act F.A.S.T. If you or someone you witness is having a stroke, call 911 immediately for quick care and treatment.
Tucson Medical Center is a Primary Stroke Center that offers comprehensive 24/7 neurology, neurosurgery, and interventional neuroradiology coverage.
Statistics:
▪ Stroke is the #1 preventable cause of disability
▪ Stroke is the #4 cause of death in the U.S.
▪ Every 40 seconds, someone has as stroke
Modifiable risk factors:
▪ High blood pressure
▪ Heart disease
▪ High cholesterol
▪ Carotid disease
▪ Atrial fibrillation
▪ Diabetes
▪ Physical inactivity
▪ Obesity
▪ Heavy alcohol use
▪ Drug abuse and tobacco use
Prevention:
▪ Don’t smoke
▪ Eat lots of fresh vegetables, fruit, fiber and fish
▪ Keep moving! Get at least 30 minutes of brisk walking most days
▪ Keep your body mass index (BMI) less than 25
▪ Manage cholesterol – less than 200, and LDL less than 100 is ideal
▪ Manage blood pressure – less than 120/80 is ideal
▪ Managing fasting glucose – less than 100 is ideal
Stroke in everyday life:
These three scenarios are examples of how stroke symptoms affect someone in everyday life:
▪ While brushing your teeth, you notice the left side of your face is drooping. You try to smile, but it feels awkward.
▪ You are preparing a meal, your left arm drifts down and you notice that you have no control over it.
▪ In the middle of a conversation, your speech becomes difficult to understand.
Other warning signs of stroke include a sudden change in speech, vision, strength or sensation, balance or dizziness, level of consciousness, or a severe headache.
Click here for more information about stroke.
Click here to learn more about the Spot a Stroke F.A.S.T. app.
