Stroke Prevention
Call 9-1-1 or go immediately to an
emergency room if you or
someone you know is having the
signs or symptoms of stroke!!!
The month of May was
designated National Stroke
Prevention Month. A stroke
happens when blood supply
is cut off to a part of the
brain. Strokes are also
referred to as a “brain
attack” or a cerebrovascular
accident.
When blood flow to the brain
stops, brain cells are
deprived of oxygen and
nutrients. A stroke is a
medical emergency
because brain cells begin to
die quickly and treatment is
most effective when given
promptly. Treatments exist that can
stop many strokes before
major damage is done to
brain cells. Don’t wait to
seek treatment if you are
having symptoms of stroke.
Go immediately to the
nearest emergency room or
call 9-1-1.
What can you do to
prevent stroke?
- Stop smoking
- Eat a healthy diet low
in fat and sodium
- See your family doctor
at least yearly to
screen for diabetes,
heart disease and
high blood pressure
- Follow physician
instructions to control diabetes and high
blood pressure
- Maintain a healthy
weight
 Signs and Symptoms of Stroke:
- sudden weakness or numbness in the
face, arms, or legs, especially on one side
of the body
- sudden confusion, or difficulty speaking or
understanding speech
- sudden vision problems, such as blurry
vision or a partial or complete loss of
vision in one or both eyes
- sudden dizziness, trouble walking, or loss
of balance and coordination
- sudden severe headache with no known
cause.
- Other symptoms that are less common,
but still important, are sudden nausea,
vomiting, brief loss of consciousness, or
decreased consciousness, such as
fainting and convulsions.
Risk Factors for Stroke:
- High blood pressure
- Cigarette smoking
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs are small strokes that last only for a few minutes or
hours)
Time is
brain…
Don’t
ignore the
signs and
symptoms
of stroke!!!
For more information about strokes go to: www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke/stroke.htm
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