Do you know the signs of a stroke—and what to do if you suspect someone is having a stroke?
Rapid management of a stroke is crucial to prevent permanent damage or even death. In fact, strokes are the No. 5 cause of death in the U.S., and every four minutes, someone dies of a stroke. About 795,000 people have a stroke each year. Strokes are most common in the African-American population and in women.
A stroke is the leading cause of disability in the U.S., but it’s also the leading preventable cause of disability. A stroke can be treated, but patients need to receive the life-saving medication rapidly.
May is Stroke Month, as designed by the American Stroke Association. The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association created the acronym FAST to help people remember the signs of a stroke. FAST also reflects the need to act fast when getting medical care for a stroke. Here’s what FAST stands for:
- F—face drooping. Ask the person to smile—does their smile look lopsided?
- A—arm weakness. Is one arm weak or numb?
- S—speech difficulty. Is speech slurred, or is the person not able to repeat a basic sentence?
- T—time to call 911. Even if the symptoms go away, call 911. Let the emergency responder know when the symptoms started.
A stroke can have a few other signs, according to the American Stroke Association. These can include trouble seeing in one or both eyes, dizziness, loss of balance, and a sudden severe headache with no other cause. These symptoms also should prompt you to call 911.
There are certain health factors that can increase your risk for stroke, including:
- atrial fibrillation
- diabetes
- high cholesterol
- poor circulation
Know your risk, and make efforts to live a healthier life with better food choices and physical activity to reduce your risk for stroke.
The American Stroke Association has the following sites with statistics and FAST details about strokes, for more information.
Call Secure Aging to Find Out How We Can Help Seniors With Financial Management
At Secure Aging in Bradenton, we transform the weight of the world into a sigh of relief for our senior clients and their concerned family members. The mission of Secure Aging is to protect and preserve our client’s independence and dignity through careful and thoughtful financial and care management. As our clients age, it is their desire to remain independent and age with dignity. Our services protect our clients from talented con artists looking to exploit and deplete the financial resources of our vulnerable seniors. Secure Aging helps families in Manatee County and Sarasota County and in and around the communities of Anna Maria, Bradenton, Bradenton Beach, Ellenton, Holmes Beach, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat Key, Myakka City, Palmetto, Parrish, and Sarasota. Call us at 941-761-9338, or visit us online at www.secureaging.com.
