Two key steps you can take will lower your risk of death or disability from stroke. These are knowing stroke's warning signs and controlling stroke's risk factors.
If you suffer a stroke, you may not realize it at first. The people around you might not know it, either. Your family, friends, or neighbors may think you are unaware or confused. You may not be able to call 911 on your own. That's why everyone should know the signs of stroke and know how to act fast.
Warning signs are clues your body sends to tell you that your brain is not receiving enough oxygen. If you observe one or more of the following signs of a stroke or "brain attack," don't wait. Call a doctor or 911 right away!
These are warning signs of 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
-sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
-sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
-sudden severe headache with no known cause
Other danger signs that may occur include double vision, drowsiness, and nausea or vomiting. Sometimes the warning signs may last only a few moments and then disappear. These brief episodes, known as transient ischemic attacks, or TIAs, are sometimes called "mini-strokes."
Although brief, TIAs identify an underlying serious condition that isn't going away without medical help. Unfortunately, since they clear up, many people ignore them. Don't ignore them. Heeding them can save your life.
What should you do? Dont wait for the symptoms to improve or worsen. If you believe you are having a stroke or someone you know is having a stroke, call 911 immediately. Making the decision to call for medical help can make the difference in avoiding a lifelong disability.
Excerpted from Stroke, by the National Institute of Health: Senior Health
