Warning Signs and Risk Factors of a Stroke

There are specific warning signs that indicate the possibility of a stroke.  If you or a loved one experiences any of these symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately, even if you aren’t sure you are having a stroke:

• sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding what is happening around you
• sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• sudden trouble walking, loss of balance or coordination
• sudden severe headache with no known cause

It’s critical that a person receives emergency care within one hour of the onset of stroke symptoms. With recent advances in stroke medications, there are treatments that can be administered to prevent or minimize stroke damage to the body.

The Good News

While stroke statistics may be surprising and the warning signs a bit frightening, there is good news; 80 percent of strokes are preventable.  While there are some stroke risk factors that are out of your control – such as being over age 55, being male, being African-American, Hispanic or Asian/Pacific Islander, or having a family history of stroke - other stroke risk factors are controllable.  By checking your blood pressure and cholesterol levels regularly, quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy body weight and getting regular exercise, you can seriously reduce your chances of having a stroke.

To learn more valuable information about stroke and stroke prevention, visit the following websites:

www.strokeassociation.org

www.stroke.org
www.nih.gov/