Abrazo Health offers stroke care information
Staff Reports | Digital Free Press
Sometimes known as a brain attack, stroke is when blood vessels to the brain become blocked by a clot or burst open and bleed into your brain. Stroke is a medical emergency and a leading cause of disabilities and death in the United States.
May is National Stroke Awareness Month.
Younger adults are increasingly affected by stroke and its risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, obesity and substance abuse. Across the country, someone has a stroke every 40 seconds, and one in six people will suffer a stroke in their lifetime.
During a stroke, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, and that part of the brain starts to die.
“It’s important to recognize that a stroke is happening, because you can save a life, including your own,” said Abrazo Health Interventional Neurologist at Dr. Sushant Kale in a press release.
Signs of a stroke include being off balance, slurred speech and arm weakness. And women are at a higher risk than men. When it comes to spotting stroke symptoms, use the acronym BEFAST:
- B – Balance: Watch for sudden loss of balance
- E – Eyes: Check for vision loss
- F – Face: Look for an uneven smile
- A – Arm: Check if one arm is weak
- S – Speech: Listen for slurred speech
- T – Time: Call 911 right away
Recognizing the signs of stroke and getting emergency care quickly so a person can be stabilized and receive the appropriate care can make a difference in recovery from a brain attack, emphasized Ashley Mitchel, RN, administrative manager at Abrazo Cave Creek Hospital.
Simple lifestyle changes can make a big impact on one’s risk for stroke. Choosing healthy meal and snack options, regular exercise, lowering your Body Mass Index, limiting alcohol consumption, quitting smoking and scheduling checkups with your doctor can help reduce health risks.
