Prevention

Prevention Counts
Stroke is the nation’s fourth leading cause of death and the number one cause of adult disability. Americans experience more than 750,000 strokes each year, resulting in annual direct and indirect costs of more than $50 billion.

Reduce Your Risk

Get regular medical check-ups
Control your blood pressure and high cholesterol
Stop smoking
Avoid excess fat and sodium
Limit alcohol intake
Exercise 30 minutes, 4-5 times per week
Take medications as directed
Control diabetes
Never use drugs such as cocaine, crack, heroin, ecstasy, or speed

Act FAST and CALL 9-1-1

IMMEDIATELY at any sign of a stroke.

Stroke symptoms include:

•SUDDEN numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg - especially on one side of the body.

•SUDDEN confusion, trouble speaking or understanding. •SUDDEN trouble seeing in one or both eyes.

•SUDDEN trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.

•SUDDEN severe headache with no known cause.

Call 9-1-1 immediately if you have any of these symptoms

NOTE THE TIME WHEN ANY SYMPTOMS FIRST APPEAR. If given within three hours of the first symptom, there is an FDA-approved clot-buster medication that may reduce long-term disability for the most common type of stroke. There are also two other types of stroke treatment available that might help reduce the effects of stroke. Read more about stroke treatment. Learn as many stroke symptoms as possible so you can recognize stroke as FAST as possible.