This month is National Stroke Awareness, which was named by President George H. W. Bush by Presidential Proclamation in 1989. However, in past the 25 years, stroke continues to be a problem in our community. Â
In fact, stroke is the fourth largest killer in the United States but one out of every three Americans is unable to name one of the symptoms of stroke.
As physicians we can’t remind our patients enough about the importance of maintaining good health and recognizing the signs of a serious health condition. Information is power and education about stroke is critical. For this reason, throughout the month of May, National Stroke Awareness Month, we urge all to take the time to become familiar with symptoms of stroke that are common to men and women:
Stroke Symptoms
- numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
- confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- difficulty walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- severe headache with no known cause
Other Stroke Symptoms Common Among Women
Women may experience a different set of symptoms in addition to those listed above, including:
- pain in the face, chest, arms or legs
- a seizure
- a pounding or racing heartbeat
- hiccups
- nausea
- general weakness or fatigue
- shortness of breath
- loss of consciousness, fainting, falls or accidents
When these symptoms happen, people must act fast since over two million brain cells perish every minute during a stroke, which can lead to permanent brain damage, disability or even death.
To help remember the most common stroke symptoms and seek prompt medical treatment, think of the acronym
FAST:
- Face. Does one side of the face drop when asked to smile?
- Arms. When raising both arms, does one arm drift downward?
- Speech. When trying to repeat a simple sentence, are the words slurred or incorrect?
- Time. Rush to emergency care immediately for evaluation and treatment.
Discuss your risk factors with your physician and seek ways to reduce them like quitting smoking, exercising regularly, watching what and how much you eat and limiting alcohol consumption – these will help keep you healthy for years to come.
Respectfully submitted,
Albert Ackil, MD
Neurologist
Good Samaritan Medical Center
Richard Herman, MD
Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine
Good Samaritan Medical Center
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