By Erin Blakemore / The Washington Post
How stroke-aware are you?
Perhaps you know the warning signs — sudden numbness on one side of the body, trouble speaking, sudden blurred vision, trouble walking — or know someone who has experienced a stroke.
There’s never a bad time to brush up on stroke awareness, and May — National Stroke Awareness Month — is a good time to get up to speed.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stroke is our fifth-leading cause of death, accounting for 140,000 fatalities each year. It’s also largely preventable. Although things such as family history and age can increase stroke risk, up to 80 percent of strokes can be sidestepped with lifestyle changes that include controlling blood pressure and quitting smoking.
The National Stroke Association’s Stroke Awareness Month website can help you learn how to identify and prevent a stroke, and spread the word. The site offers resources on stroke and ways to tell a friend via social media or free e-cards.
Another way to up your stroke awareness without putting down your phone or leaving your desk is to visit Stroke Connection, a virtual magazine. Co-produced by the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association, it can be found via a free app or at strokeconnection.strokeassociation.org. The quarterly includes articles on risk management and stroke treatment, and information for stroke survivors.
Speaking of survival, there’s another resource for people who have been through a stroke. The Hand in Hand Show podcast — free and updated weekly — is produced and hosted entirely by stroke survivors and caregivers.
Episodes cover such questions as “Why me?” along with ways to heal after a stroke and the unique stories of people who have been through a stroke and people who care for them. You can hear episodes, which clock in at around 30 minutes, at handinhandshow.com or via iTunes or Google Play.
5 key facts about stroke
1. Stroke kills brain cells. Stroke happens when a clot or rupture interrupts blood ow to the brain. Without oxygen-rich blood, brain cells die.
2. There are three types of stroke. Ischemic caused by a clot, hemorrhagic caused by a rupture and transient ischemic attack (TIA) or “mini stroke” caused by a temporary blockage.
3. About one in four stroke survivors is at risk for another. Fortunately, up to 80 percent of second clot-related strokes may be preventable.
4. Prevention is key. Had a stroke? Create a plan with your doctor to prevent another, which may include managing high blood pressure and discussing aspirin or other medicine. Aspirin is not appropriate for everyone, so be sure to talk to your doctor before you begin an aspirin regimen.
5. Time lost is brain lost. Now that you know prevention, here’s how you spot one. Learn the FAST warning signs: (F) Face drooping; (A) Arm weakness; (S) Speech difficulty; (T) Time to call 911.
Source: American Stroke Association
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