Stroke is a medical emergency. Every minute counts
when someone is having a stroke. The longer blood flow is cut
off to the brain, the greater the damage. Immediate treatment
can save people's lives and enhance their chances for successful
recovery.
The symptoms of a stroke are distinct because they
happen quickly:
Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm,
or leg (especially on one side of the body)
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
speech
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance
or coordination
Sudden severe headache with no known cause
What should a bystander do?
If you believe someone is having a stroke, call
911 immediately.
Sometimes warning signs last for only a few minutes
and then disappear. This could be a mini stroke, called a transient
ischemic attack (TIA). Don't ignore a TIA - see your physician
right away.
Prevention Tips
A stroke is a single, damaging attack, but the conditions or risk
factors that lead to a stroke, such as high blood pressure, smoking,
heart disease, and diabetes develop over many years. You can reduce
your stroke risk by taking the following steps:
Control your blood pressure. Have your
blood pressure checked often, and if it is high, follow your
physician's advice on how to lower it.
Stop smoking. Cigarette smoking is linked
to increased risk for stroke. Research shows that the risk of
stroke for people who have quit smoking for two to five years
is lower than people who still smoke.
Exercise regularly. Exercise may make the
heart stronger and improve circulation. It also helps control
weight. Physical activities such as brisk walking, cycling,
swimming, and yard work lower the risk of both stroke and heart
disease.
Eat a healthy diet. Choose, prepare, and
eat foods low in fat, saturated fatty acids, and cholesterol.
Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables.
Control your diabetes. If untreated, diabetes
can damage the blood vessels throughout the body and lead to
clogged arteries, which in turn can lead to stroke.
