Prevent Stroke
Survive Stroke
brochure
Stroke is a cardiovascular disease. Most strokes occur when a blood vessel to the brain is blocked by a blood clot or a buildup of plaque or other fatty deposits.
When blood circulation to the brain is blocked, brain
cells die from lack of oxygen. This can cause paralysis and affect language and
vision, among other things. The good news is that early treatment
can minimize the potentially devastating effects
of stroke.
survive
stroke
Stroke is one of
If you have any of
the following conditions, or if you are a smoker, you are at increased risk for
stroke.
T
high blood
pressure
T
diabetes
T
high
cholesterol
T
heart disease
T
atrial
fibrillation
T
previous
stroke
T
previous
mini-stroke
But there are steps
you can take now to reduce your risk of stroke later on.
T
Work with your
doctor to actively manage your risk factors
T
Know your
blood pressure and cholesterol level
T
Schedule
regular check-ups to track your health
T
Take
prescribed medications and follow your doctor’s recommendations
T
Quit smoking,
or smoke less – heavy smokers have twice the stroke risk of light smokers
T
Walk, run, or
take the stairs – take steps to stay fit
T
Strive to
maintain a healthy weight
Become an advocate
for your own health. Tell your doctor you want to actively manage your risk
factors.
Ask your doctor:
T
Am I at
risk for a stroke?
T
How do
I lower my risk?
T
Does my family medical history put me at higher
risk?
T
What
healthy habits can I adopt to reduce the chances that I will have a stroke?
Don’t be a bystander
in your medical care. Take the initiative -- prevent stroke.
prevent stroke
survive stroke
By knowing what to
look for, you can help reduce the number of Montanans who die or are disabled
from strokes. Learn the signs of signs and symptoms of stroke, and act
quickly if you notice them in yourself or someone else.
Common signs of
stroke include:
T
Sudden
weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side
T
Sudden clumsiness in an arm, leg or both
T
Sudden difficulty walking
T
Sudden
dizziness or vertigo
T
Sudden loss of
balance or coordination
T
Sudden loss of
vision in one or both eyes
T
Sudden
confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding
T
Sudden severe
headache without a known cause
If you or someone you
are with experiences these symptoms – even if they appear and then go away --
call
Stroke is the leading
cause of serious, long-term disability in adults, but it doesn’t have to
be.
People who are treated
within three hours of the onset of stroke symptoms are significantly less
likely to be disabled than those who wait to get care. Yet less than 5% of
people who suffer a stroke reach the hospital in time to receive
this early treatment.
If you or someone you are with
experiences stroke symptoms, don’t wait. Call
Common signs of
stroke include:
T
Sudden
weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side
T
Sudden difficulty walking
T
Sudden
dizziness or vertigo
T
Sudden loss of
balance or coordination
T
Sudden loss of
vision in one or both eyes
T
Sudden
confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding
T
Sudden severe
headache without a known cause
If you or someone you
are with experiences these symptoms – even if they appear and then go away -- call
Become an advocate
for your own health. Tell your doctor you want to actively manage your risk
factors.
Ask your doctor:
T
Am I at
risk for a stroke?
T
How do
I lower my risk?
T
Does my family medical history put me at higher
risk?
T
What healthy habits can I adopt to reduce the
chances that I will have a stroke?