May is American Stroke Awareness Month

For adults in the US, there has never been a greater need for awareness of the dangers of strokes. A stroke, sometimes referred to as a brain attack, can occur when a clot prevents blood from reaching the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. Are you aware of the five main symptoms of a stroke? If you said no, you are not alone. Despite the fact that strokes are among the leading causes of death and long-term disability, there is much about strokes that many people may not understand. That’s why during National Stroke Awareness month this May, the healthcare providers at Abraham Family Medicine wanted to provide some essential information about strokes, warning signs to look out for, and what you can do to reduce your risk of experiencing a stroke.

We wanted to begin by presenting some statistics to illustrate the prevalence of strokes in the US:

• About 140,000 Americans die of stroke each year, making it the fifth leading cause of death for adults in the US.
• Every 40 seconds, someone in the US has a stroke. Every four minutes, someone dies of one.
• Of the estimated 795,000 Americans who will have a stroke this year, about 610,000 of these will be first strokes and 185,000 will occur in people who have already experienced a stroke.
• Although, strokes are commonly associated with seniors, about 15% of ischemic strokes occur in young adults and adolescents.
• When you factor in the cost of healthcare services, medications, and lost productivity, it is estimated that strokes cost the nation $34 billion every year.

 

The sooner a stroke is detected and 9-1-1 is called, the better a person’s chances will be of receiving the medical attention they need. The five main symptoms of a stroke, that all occur suddenly, are numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg (especially on one side of the body), confusion or difficulty speaking, vision problems, dizziness or loss of balance, and a severe headache. If you’re not sure that someone is having a stroke, trying asking them to smile. If one side of the face droops, they may be having a stroke. If you observe any of these signs, we recommend calling 9-1-1 immediately.

Some risk factors of a stroke like family history, age, and gender cannot be controlled. However, there are things you can do to reduce your risk of stroke. For instance, exercising regularly and eating a heart healthy diet are recommended, as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, and being overweight can all increase your stroke risk. Additionally, smoking and drinking too much alcohol can also potentially lead to stroke.

One of the best ways to prevent a stroke from occurring is to be proactive about your health and wellbeing. This begins by taking care of your body and mind and making a point to schedule regular appointments with your healthcare provider to make sure that you are in good health. For more information or if you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today. Our providers offer a wide variety of general healthcare services for patients of all ages at our Snellville office, located very close to Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.