May is nationally recognized as Stroke Awareness Month and according to the American Heart Association, stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States.

However, did you know that over 80% of strokes can be prevented with education, lifestyle changes and working with your healthcare provider to control your personal risk factors? Continue reading to learn more about how you can help reduce your risk and quickly react if someone you know is experiencing a stroke.

What is a Stroke?

A stroke is a serious medical condition that requires immediate emergency care. Strokes occur when a blocked or torn artery interferes with the flow of oxygen-carrying blood to the brain, causing parts of the brain to die. Strokes can cause permanent brain damage, long-term disability, or even death if not treated promptly.

Act F.A.S.T

Warning signs of a stroke can include sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arms or legs, especially on just one side of the body. Confusion with speaking, talking or understanding, trouble with vision in one or both eyes and a sudden severe headache with no known cause are also common.

Remembering the acronym F.A.S.T. can help you detect if someone is having a stroke and quickly call 911.

Strokes can affect anyone at any age. Immediate care at an emergency department is essential to help prevent severe disability and can even save a life.

How to Reduce your Risk

When it comes to preventing strokes, there are both controllable and uncontrollable risk factors. For example, women face a higher risk of stroke with 1 in 5 experiencing a stroke each year. Learn more about the common risk factors identified by the American Stroke Association here and by speaking with your provider.

Additionally, see the steps below that everyone can take to help reduce the risk of experiencing a stroke: 

• Quit smoking and reduce alcohol consumption
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Add lots of fruit, vegetables and lean proteins to your diet
• Get enough sleep
• Take all your prescribed medications
• Try to exercise for 30 minutes a day, five days a week

Stroke Care at Southcoast Health

Our award-winning program is certified by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA) and all three Southcoast Health Hospitals are Joint Commission Certified Primary Stroke Centers. Our team provides expert and efficient care to all patients with suspected stroke to give people the best chance for recovery. 

Along with providing comprehensive care across the region, this team works closely with local partners to provide community education about how everyone can reduce their risk of stroke with simple lifestyle changes.

Learn More at Heart Health – Stroke Prevention Extravaganza – Southcoast Health. To learn more about Stroke Care at Southcoast Health please visit: https://www.southcoast.org/services/brain-and-spine-treatment/stroke-care/. 

Wishing you the best,

Daniel Sacchetti, DO

Stroke Director and Chief of Neurology

Southcoast Health