May Is "National Stroke Awareness Month'

Hello everyone,

I didn't want too many days of the month to go by without posting about this very thought worthy event. 

 May is " National Stoke Awareness Month "

In this day and age - Strokes can happen to anyone.  We need to be aware of the signs and educate others of the sign - because with quick medical attention we can lower the risk of disability and death.


About 795,000 people in the U.S. will have a stroke this year, that translates into one stoke every 40 seconds. Yet most people cannot identify stroke warning signs or risk factors and most of those strokes are preventable--some studies indicate that up to 80 percent of strokes can be prevented.

. Did You Know?

· Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S.
· Stroke is a leading cause of adult long-term disability.
· By 2030, it is estimated that 4 million people will have had a stroke. This is nearly 25 percent higher than 2010 estimates.
· Stroke is an emergency! It’s important to learn stroke warning signs and how to respond to them. If given within three hours of the first symptom, there is an FDA-approved clot-buster medication that may reduce long-term disability for the most common type of stroke.


The National Stroke Association offers a Stroke Awareness Resource Center with free downloadable stroke education information, graphics and ways to get involved in raising awareness.

Use FAST to remember the warning signs of stroke:

Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?

Time: If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Hugs,

Penny