Stroke Awareness – Do You Know the Warning Signs? [SPONSORED]
Our friends at Meridian Health want the Jersey Shore to be aware of the warning signs and risk factors for stroke.
According to the American Stroke Association, each year approximately 700,000 people suffer a stroke – 500,000 are first attacks and 200,000 are recurrent. According to a local health study conducted by PRC (Professional Research Consultants) prevalence of stroke in Monmouth County is concurrent with the national findings. Therefore, having a Primary Stroke Center within the community can truly be a life-saver.
How to reduce your risk of stroke:
- Know your blood pressure. If high, work with your doctor to lower it.
- Find out from your doctor if you have atrial fibrillation.
- If you smoke, stop.
- If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.
- Find out if you have high cholesterol.
- If so, work with your doctor to control it.
- If you are diabetic, follow your doctor’s recommendation carefully to control your blood sugar.
- Include exercise in the activities you enjoy in your daily routine.
- Enjoy a lower sodium (salt), lower fat diet.
- Ask your doctor how you can lower your risk of stroke.
- Know the symptoms of stroke.
If you have any stroke symptoms, seek immediate medical attention:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, especially one side of the body.
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause.