A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or blocked or when a blood vessel in the brain leaks or bursts. This is a serious emergency that requires immediate medical attention. It’s important to know the risk factors and symptoms of a stroke.
Use the letters F.A.S.T. to spot a Stroke
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- F = Face Drooping – Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person’s smile uneven?
- A = Arm Weakness – Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
- S = Speech Difficulty – Is speech slurred?
- T = Time to call 911 – A stroke is an emergency. Every minute counts. Call 911 immediately. Note the time when any of the symptoms first appear.
What you can do to prevent a stroke
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- Lower your blood pressure
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Exercise
- Appropriately treat all diagnosed conditions—particularly diabetes and atrial fibrillation
- Quit Smoking
- Reduce your alcohol intake
A stroke can cause brain damage and neurological complications depending on the type, severity, and the part of the brain that is affected. JAA Home Healthcare’s speech and physical therapists can help you rehabilitate after a stroke and offer assistive devices to improve your quality of life. Ask your physician to order JAA Home Healthcare.
TIP: Sodium can raise your blood pressure and increase your risk of stroke. To lower your sodium intake, eat fewer processed foods. ONLY A SMALL AMOUNT OF SODIUM NATURALLY OCCURS IN FOODS– MOST SODIUM IS ADDED DURING PROCESSING
DID YOU KNOW: IN THE FIRST 20 MINUTES OF QUITTING SMOKING YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE AND HEART RECOVER FROM THE NICOTINE INDUCED SPIKES
Source: Stroke.org