Stroke Awareness
Information submitted by Cathy Snelson, R.N., M.S.N., Parish Nurse
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Stroke is also a leading cause of serious long-term disability. Approximately 75% of strokes occur in people aged 65 years and older. The risk of stroke doubles each decade after age 55. Stroke deaths are higher for African Americans than for whites, even at younger ages. A family history of stroke also increases the risk.
The five major signs of stroke are:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance and coordination.
- Sudden, severe headache with no known cause.
If you think someone is having a stroke, you should call 911 or your local emergency medical services immediately. Receiving immediate treatment is critical in lowering the risk of disability and even death.
Knowing your risk of stroke and doing what you can to decrease or control your risk is the best approach to preventing stroke and stroke-related disability. Everyone can take steps to lower their risk for stroke, whether they have had a stroke or not. Things you can do to lower the risk include:
- Taking steps to prevent and control high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and heart disease.
- Preventing and controlling diabetes.
- Not smoking.
- Eating a healthy diet.
- Maintaining a healthy weight.
- Participating in regular physical activity.
- Not drinking too much alcohol (drinking more than two drinks per day on average for men or more than one drink per day on average for women).
- Treating atrial fibrillation.