A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked, usually by a blood clot in an artery. Every minute that blood flow is interrupted, two million brain cells die, which can lead to permanent disability or death.
Stroke Is More Common Than You Think
- Every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. has a stroke.
- Every 3 minutes and 11 seconds, someone dies from a stroke.
- More than 795,000 people suffer a stroke in the U.S. each year.
Time Is Brain—Call 911 Immediately!
The faster a stroke is treated, the better the chance of survival and recovery. If caught quickly, a drug called TPA can dissolve the clot and stop the damage—but this treatment is only effective within a short window of time.
Never delay calling 911! Do not wait to see if symptoms get better—every second counts!
Know the B.E.F.A.S.T. Signs of a Stroke
The Suffield Volunteer Ambulance team is trained to recognize and respond to stroke symptoms using the B.E.F.A.S.T. method. You can use it too:
- B – Balance: Sudden loss of balance or coordination?
- E – Eyes: Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes?
- F – Face: Ask them to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
- A – Arms: Ask them to raise both arms. Does one drift downward?
- S – Speech: Is speech slurred or strange? Can they repeat a simple sentence?
- T – Time to call 911! Even if only one symptom appears, call 911 immediately!
12 Ways to Lower Your Stroke Risk
While some strokes are unavoidable, many can be prevented by making healthy choices. Here’s what you can do:
- Eat healthy. Choose fresh fruits, vegetables, and foods low in unhealthy fats, cholesterol, and salt.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight increases stroke risk.
- Stay active. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise, like brisk walking, each week.
- Don’t smoke. Smoking doubles your risk of stroke.
- Limit alcohol. Excessive drinking raises blood pressure.
- Control your health conditions. Manage heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
- Monitor your cholesterol. If it’s high, work with your doctor to lower it.
- Manage blood pressure. High blood pressure is a major stroke risk factor—medication and lifestyle changes can help.
- Keep diabetes under control. High blood sugar damages blood vessels and increases stroke risk.
- Treat heart disease. Conditions like atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) can lead to stroke if left untreated.
- Take your medication. If your doctor prescribes medicine for stroke prevention, take it as directed.
- Work with your healthcare team. Regular checkups and medical care can help prevent strokes before they happen.
The Bottom Line: Stroke is a Medical Emergency!
If you or someone around you shows signs of a stroke, don’t wait—call 911 immediately! Getting treatment fast can save a life and reduce long-term damage.
Know the signs. Act quickly. You could save a life, maybe even your own.