According to the CDC:
Stroke deaths have stopped declining. Strokes are common and preventable.
Stroke is the 5th leading cause of death and a leading cause of serious, long-term disability, with an estimated cost of $34 billion annually.
1 in 20 adult deaths are due to stroke. Many of these deaths are preventable.
When stroke happens, parts of the brain become damaged and can start to die within minutes.
Strokes happen more in some populations and geographic areas.
Stroke death declines have stalled in 3 out of every 4 states.
Blacks have the highest stroke death rates among all races/ethnicity.
Stroke death rates among Hispanics have increased by 6% each year from 2013 to 2015.
Stroke deaths increased in southern states.
Strokes are happening at younger ages.
Risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and diabetes are happening at younger ages.
Risk factors may not be recognized and treated in middle-aged adults (35-64 years old).
Recent studies also suggest that over the last 15 years younger adults (ages 18-54) have had increases in stroke hospitalizations, along with increases in stroke risk factors among those hospitalized with stroke.
WHAT CAN YOU DO???
Recognize the signs and symptoms of stroke and call 911 if someone is having a stroke.
Control blood pressure and cholesterol by taking medicines as prescribed.
Manage other medical conditions, such as obesity and diabetes.
Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke, which increase your risk for stroke.
Eat a healthy diet low in salt and sugar with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, increase physical activity, and maintain a healthy weight.
Signs of Stroke in Men and Women
Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or lack of coordination
Sudden severe headache with no known cause
Call 9-1-1 right away if you or someone else has any of these symptoms.
Acting F.A.S.T. Is Key for Stroke
Recognize the Signs and Symptoms of Stroke When someone is having a stroke, every minute counts. Just as putting out a fire quickly can stop it from spreading, treating a stroke quickly can reduce damage to the brain. If you learn how to recognize the telltale signs of a stroke, you can act quickly and save a life—maybe even your own.
Acting F.A.S.T. can help stroke patients get the treatments they desperately need. The stroke treatments that work best are available only if the stroke is recognized and diagnosed within 3 hours of the first symptoms. Stroke patients may not be eligible for these if they don’t arrive at the hospital in time.
If you think someone may be having a stroke, act F.A.S.T. and do the following simple test:
F—Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
A—Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S—Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is the speech slurred or strange?
T—Time: If you see any of these signs, call 9-1-1 right away.
Note the time when any symptoms first appear. This information helps health care providers determine the best treatment for each person. ****Do not drive to the hospital or let someone else drive you. Call an ambulance so that medical personnel can begin life-saving treatment on the way to the emergency room.****
all information in this post comes from the CDC website updated 5/11/2020.
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