Practice Stroke Awareness

Stroke is a type of vascular disease affecting the arteries leading to and within the brain.

Types of Stroke

There are two types of strokes: ischemic and hemorrhagic. Both cause serious brain damage as a result of either a blocked (ischemic) or leaking (hemorrhagic) blood vessel in the brain.

Stroke Symptoms

If you have any acute stroke symptoms, call 911 immediately. Symptoms of a stroke include:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg—especially on one side of the body.
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss
• of balance or coordination.
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause. 

Stroke Prevention

Many strokes are preventable. The National Stroke Association’s (NSA) stroke prevention guidelines will help you learn how you may be able to lower your risk for a first stroke. Ask your doctor for advice on how to best use these guidelines.

• Know your blood pressure and work with your doctor to reduce high blood pressure.
• Find out if you have atrial fibrillation.
• If you smoke, stop.
• If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.
• Find out if you have high cholesterol.
• If you are diabetic, consult with your doctor
• on medication and lifestyle changes.
• Exercise.
• Enjoy a lower sodium (salt), lower fat diet.
• Ask your doctor if you have circulation problems.
• Know the symptoms of stroke and act FAST to get help!
• If you have any acute stroke symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. Call 911 immediately. 

F FACE: Ask the person to smile.

A ARMS: Ask the person to raise both arms.

S SPEECH: Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence such as “Dick and Jane went on a picnic.”

T TIME: If the person shows any of these symptoms, time is important. 

Call 911 to get to the hospital immediately! Brain cells are dying each minute you wait!

What is your risk of stroke?

Every 53 seconds, an American has a stroke, totaling about 750,000 each year. Complete the stroke risk scorecard to find out your risk and talk with your doctor about your risk factors and prevention tips.
 

Each box that applies to you equals 1 point. Total your score at the bottom of each column and compare with the stroke risk level results.

Risk Factor	High Risk	Caution	Low Risk
Blood Pressure:	140/90 & higher, or I don't know	120-139/80-89	Lower than 120/80
Cholesterol:	Greater than 240 or I don't know	200-239	Less than 200
Diabetes:	Yes	Borderline	No
Smoking:	I still smoke	I'm trying to quit	I am a non-smoker
Atrial Fibrillation:	I have an irregular heartbeat	I don't know	My heartbeat is not irregular
Diet:	I am overweight	I am slightly overweight	My weight is healthy
Exercise:	I am a couch potato	I exercise sometimes	I exercise regularly
Family History of Stroke:	Yes, I have a family history of stroke	Not sure	No history of stroke in my family
	Total for High Risk____	Total for Caution____	Total for Low Risk____

Results

• If your High Risk number is 3 or more, ask your doctor about stroke prevention right away.
• If your Caution number is 4-6, work with your doctor to lower those risk factors you can change even more.
• If your Low Risk number is 6-8, congratulations! You’re doing very well at controlling your risk.

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