Stroke is the No. 1 cause of preventable disability and the fifth leading killer in the nation. Eighty percent of strokes are preventable, yet it is expected that nearly 750,000 people in the United States will have a stroke this year. On average, someone has a stroke every 40 seconds.
“It is important to recognize the warning signs of stroke and dial 9-1-1 immediately,” said Dr. Amid Hamidi, Medical Director of the McLeod Dillon Emergency Department. “Warning signs include sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg – especially on one side of the body. It’s important to also look for signs of sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding as well as trouble seeing in one or both eyes. Someone having a stroke may suddenly have trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination. A sudden severe headache with no known cause is also a warning sign.”
When it comes to stroke, time lost is brain lost. “The longer it takes a stroke patient to receive care, the greater the chances of permanent disability or even death,” said Dr. Hamidi.
McLeod Health Dillon is an Acute Stroke Ready Hospital, meaning it is certified to provide immediate care for stroke patients.
“A myriad of manageable risk factors can lead to stroke, including: high blood pressure, weight control, alcohol consumption, smoking, and diabetes,” said Dr. Hamidi.
“Living a healthy lifestyle is key in the prevention of strokes.” This American Stroke Month, become a Stroke Hero and ask everyone you know to join the mission to save and improve lives.
• Learn F.A.S.T. – an easy way to remember the common symptoms of a stroke:
F – Face Drooping
A – Arm Weakness
S – Speech Difficulty
T – Time to Call 911
• Build a team of F.A.S.T. Lifesavers by downloading and sharing the free F.A.S.T. mobile app with your friends, family and community.
Visit www.strokeassociation.org/strokemonth for all the information.
About National Stroke Association: Established in 1984, National Stroke Association is the only national organization in the U.S. that focuses 100 percent of its efforts on stroke. National Stroke Association achieves its mission to lower the incidence and impact of stroke by developing compelling community outreach programs, calling for continued improvement in the quality of stroke patient care, and educating both healthcare professionals and the general public about stroke. Visit www.stroke.org for more information about stroke.
