As per the CDC Fact Sheet, stroke kills nearly 150,000 of the 860,000 Americans who die of cardiovascular disease each year—that’s 1 in every 19 deaths from all causes.
A stroke, sometimes called a brain attack, happens in one of two ways:
Ischemic stroke—when the blood supply to the brain is blocked
Hemorrhagic stroke—when a blood vessel in the brain bursts
A stroke causes brain tissue to die, which can lead to brain damage, disability, and death. Stroke is a leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of serious disability for adults. This is disturbing because about 80% of strokes are preventable.
Every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. has a stroke. It is imperative everyone knows what to do and to ACT FAST, it could save a life. Click below for your F.A.S.T. checklist.
The America Heart Association reports that the faster a stroke is treated, the more likely the patient is to recover. In fact, stroke patients who are treated with the clot-busting drug IV r-tPA Alteplase within 90 minutes of their first symptoms were almost three times more likely to recover with little or no disability.
In some cases, a procedure to remove the clot causing the stroke is also recommended. Nintey-one percent of stroke patients who were treated with a stent retriever within 150 minutes of first symptoms recovered with little or no disability. The thing to remember is that stroke is largely treatable. It’s a matter of getting the right treatment, right away.
Knowing the stroke warning signs is very important but equally important is to prevent a stroke in the first place. As noted previously, 80% of strokes are preventable. Preventing and managing heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, carotid artery disease, high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation can help in preventing a stroke. Quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight and diet are also key factors in preventing a stroke.
Remember to keep the basic signs of facial drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty and make that 911 call, memorized for future use. It is better to be safe than sorry. If there is any doubt, call 911. Also, be aware that strokes can occur in younger people and even children.