Stroke Awareness Month

May is Stroke Awareness Month. We wanted to take this opportunity to educate our community on the risk factors, symptoms, treatment options and more. A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is suddenly interrupted or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, spilling blood into the spaces surrounding brain cells. There are two types of strokes ischemic, caused by blockage of a blood vessel that supplies the brain, and hemorrhagic-when there is bleeding into or around the brain.

Risk factors that can lead to a stroke:

• Overweight
• Sedentary life
• Binge drinking
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Family history
• Cardiovascular disease
• Age- 55 and older at higher risk
• Gender- men are at higher risk than women

Symptoms of a stroke:

• Sudden numbness or weakness(especially to one side of the body)
• Sudden confusion or trouble speaking
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble with walking
• Sudden Dizziness/loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause

Treatment stages:

• Prevention
• Diet and healthy eating
• Less cholesterol and saturated fat in diet
• Controlling diabetes
• Monitor blood pressure
• Avoid illicit drugs
• Exercise
• Quit smoking and alcohol
• Immediate therapy after stroke
• Post stroke rehab

A stroke is most commonly treated with antithrombotics and thrombolytics.

For Stroke Resources for Individuals and Patients, click the button below.

Stroke Resources