Worldwide, stroke is the second leading cause of death. According to the World Health Organization 15 million people suffer from strokes each year, and more than one third of those strokes result in death. The World Stroke Organization projects that the number of annual deaths could rise to 6.7 million if current trends hold. The key to reducing these incidences is spreading awareness about the risk factors and warning signs for stroke.
A stroke occurs when blood flow, and thus oxygen flow, to the brain is stopped, causing affected areas of the brain to become damaged or die. The symptoms of a stroke depend on the area of the brain affected, and in some cases a person may not even know that he or she is having a stroke. Because it’s imperative for stroke victims to get to the hospital as quickly as possible, knowing the warning signs can truly be the difference between life and death. Remember the acronym FAST:
• Face – When he or she smiles, does one side of the face droop?
• Arms – Can he or she raise both arms without one drifting downward?
• Speech – When asked to speak is his or her speech slurred?
• Time – If you observe these signs, call 911 immediately.
There are other symptoms of stroke that may be less discernible: a sudden headache that gets worse when changing positions, bending or coughing; a change in alertness (e.g., sleepiness, unconsciousness); loss of any of the five senses; confusion or loss of memory; dizziness, vertigo or loss of coordination; and numbness or tingling on one side of the body.
Knowing the warning signs is helpful in the event of a stroke but knowing the controllable risk factors and taking action can actually reduce your chances of having a stroke. Treatable risk factors include high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, physical inactivity and obesity. Quitting smoking, adopting a healthy diet and exercising regularly can help you maintain a healthy body weight, blood pressure and cholesterol level. If someone you know has recently suffered a stroke, visit www.HospitaltoHomecare.comfor information about the discharge process, post-hospitalization care and recovery at home. Additional recovery tips are available in Home Care Assistance’s Patient Guide for Post-Stroke Care.
For more information, visit www.HomeCareAssistanceSantaClarita.com or call our office at 661-259-9914.