Stroke is a leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of serious disability for adults. It is also preventable and treatable.
What are the 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 to stroke survival. Remember: Face, Arms, Speech, and Time.
You can help prevent stroke by making healthy choices and controlling any health conditions you may have.
- Choose healthy foods and drinks.
- Keep a healthy weight.
- Get regular physical activity.
- Don’t smoke.
- Limit alcohol.
- Your doctor should test your cholesterol levels at least once every 5 years.
- High blood pressure usually has no symptoms, so be sure to have it checked on a regular basis.
- If you have diabetes, check your blood sugar levels regularly.
- Taking care of heart problems can help prevent stroke.
- If you take medicine to treat heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes, follow your doctor’s instructions carefully.
You can learn more about strokes and how to prevent them at: cdc.gov
