Tips to save lives during National Stroke Awareness Month

Brought to you by MERCY HEALTH

What would you do if a loved one experienced sudden numbness and weakness on the left side of their body?

If you would call 911, you would be right. Numbness and weakness are common signs of stroke, the No. 5 cause of death among Americans and the leading cause of serious, long-term disability.

Stroke occurs when the brain’s blood supply is blocked by a blood clot or damaged vessel. Without a constant supply of oxygen from the bloodstream, brain cells struggle to remain active and are lost at a rate of approximately 1.9 million per minute.

A clot-busting drug, commonly known as tPA, can halt many strokes in progress before extensive and irreversible brain damage occurs. A procedure to retrieve the clot is also an option for certain types of strokes. Unfortunately, people experiencing a stroke often do not recognize what is happening and delay medical treatment. In fact, only 3 to 5 percent of stroke patients reach the hospital in time to benefit from treatment, according to the American Stroke Association.

May is National Stroke Awareness month, but it is something we must never forget or just remind ourselves during one month. Take a moment to review these lifesaving facts on stroke and share them with those you love.

First, remember that the best time to treat a stroke is before it occurs. Your family physician can help control or treat risk factors such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, physical inactivity, obesity, drug and alcohol abuse and disorders of the heart, arteries and blood.

Some risk factors cannot be treated, though it is helpful to be aware of them. The risk of stroke increases with age, approximately doubling for each decade of life after 55. Women, African Americans, Hispanic Americans and people with a personal or family history of stroke are also at greater risk.

In addition to knowing your personal risk, it is important to learn the signs of a stroke so you can take immediate action in an emergency.

To recognize the signs of stroke, use the acronym FAST:

Face. Ask the person to smile. If the person is experiencing a stroke, one side of the mouth may droop.

Arms. Ask the person to raise both arms. Stroke will often cause one arm to drift downward.

Speech. Ask the person to repeat a sentence. Stroke may cause speech to be slurred.

Time. If you see signs of a possible stroke, immediately call 911.

If stroke symptoms disappear suddenly, it is still important to seek emergency care. The person could be experiencing a transient ischemic attack, also called a “mini stroke,” caused by a temporary blockage to a blood vessel. About 15 percent of strokes are preceded by a TIA, and a person with a history of TIA is 10 times more likely to have a stroke than others of the same age and sex.

As the only Primary Stroke Center in Mahoning Valley, Mercy Health offers a full continuum of care for people who have experienced a stroke. From the emergency department through rehabilitation, every stage of care addresses both the physical and emotional aspects of recovery.

To learn more about stroke care at Mercy visit www.mercy.com or to make an appointment with a physician, call 855-884-7150.