Stroke warning signs and risk factor recognition

May is American Stroke Month, but strokes happen year-round. Each year 700,000 people have a new or recurrent stroke. On average every three minutes someone dies of a stroke. Could you or a loved one be next?

The American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, wants you to know the stroke warning signs and recognize the risk factors.

Stroke Warning Signs
Know the warning signs of stroke.  With stroke, time lost is brain lost. If you or someone you love experience any of the following signs, call 9-1-1 immediately.

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the 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; or
• Sudden, severe headache with no known cause.

Are you at risk?
Stroke risk factors are linked to lifestyle, gender, race and age. Having high blood pressure, smoking, obesity and excessive alchohol use are a few risk factors that can be controlled or eliminated. 
Take the Learn & Live Quiz to determine your overall cardiovascular health. This quiz may be the first step in preventing stroke from affecting your life.

Take Action
The American Stroke Assocition and American Heart Association have many tools available to assess your cardiovascualr health, educate yourself or loved ones and share this lifesaving message of stroke prevention.
You can:

• Send an e-card listing the five warning signs of stroke.
• Use the American Stroke Month Community Education Kit to to share lifesaving stroke information.
• Take the Stroke Pledge and receive a free gift.
• Join Train To End Stroke and raise money for stroke research while completing a life-changing event.
• Send your congressperson a letter supporting the STOP Stroke Act.
• Use the New Patient Education Toolkit for informational materials on stroke prevention and life after stroke.