Strokes – Increase your awareness

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October 29 was World Stroke Day. Increase your awareness of the signs and symptoms of stroke; you could save a life- maybe your own! Stroke is the second leading cause of death in Americans over 60. More than 795,00 people suffer a stroke each year, 619,000 of them are first stokes. Stroke kills almost 130,000 people a year, 1 out of every 19 deaths.Some risk factors are common to both men and women. Those more common in women include having migraines with an aura, atrial fibrillation, and diabetes. The most important risk factors are High Blood Pressure, Heart Disease, Diabetes, Cigarette Smoking, Atrial Fibrillation, and Prior Stroke, Some steps that can reduce your risk for a stroke are:

*Eat a healthy diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables and low in sodium and trans fat Maintain a healthy weight Stay physically active each day.

*QUIT Smoking.

*Consume alcohol in moderation.

*Prevent or treat high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

*Quick treatment is critical- act F A S T.:

F-FACE Ask the person to smile- does the mouth droop?

A-ARMS Ask the person to raise both arms- does one arm

drift downward?

S-SPEECH Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase (Around the rugged rock the ragged rascal ran) – Is speech slurred?

T-TIME If you observe any of these signs, CALL 911 immediately!

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