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