Do you know the symptoms of a stroke? Less than one third of Americans can name even one. Quickly recognizing the signs and seeking immediate medical care can save your life or the life of a loved one.
During National Stroke Awareness Month, the National Stroke Association wants to encourage every person to learn and understand the signs and symptoms of a stroke in its early stages while there is still time to prevent damage. Each year an estimated 795,000 people in the US experience stroke and it is the fourth leading cause of death. It is also the number one cause of adult disability – two-thirds of stroke survivors continue with some type of disability after recovery.
While age is a risk factor, anyone at any age can have a stroke. In fact, nearly 20% of strokes occur in people younger than age 55.
If you see any one of these "Five Sudden, Severe Symptoms," call 911 – immediately. Remember that "Time Is Brain" – the more quickly someone receives medical attention, the better chance they have of minimal damage to brain tissue.
• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg on one side of the body.
• Sudden trouble seeing on one side.
• Sudden, severe difficulty walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
Keep in mind that any of these symptoms can occur in a mild, fleeting way and not be worrisome, but if any one of them comes on suddenly and is quite severe, it could signal the onset of a stroke.
To have the best chances of preventing a stroke, you should make an effort to control the risk factors you can, such as controlling conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes, quit smoking, lose weight, and start exercising. To better understand your own personal stroke risk, take the "Stroke Risk Scorecard" quiz offered by the National Stroke Association and take the results to your healthcare provider for further guidance.