Know the 5 signs of a stroke

Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, killing more than 133,000 people each year, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But if you know the signs of stroke and act fast, you can help save a stroke victim’s life and limit long-term damage to the brain.

“If you think you or someone else might be having a stroke, get help right away by calling 911 or going to the nearest Emergency Department.* This is because we have medication that can effectively treat the stroke, increase your chance of survival, and help reduce damage. But it needs to be given right away, so you need to move quickly,” says vascular neurologist William Neil, MD, regional stroke champion for Kaiser Permanente Southern California.

Try this simple reminder when looking for signs of stroke:

BE FAST!

Use these guidelines to determine if you or someone else is having a stroke:

BALANCE: Is the person experiencing loss of balance?

EYES: Vision loss in one or both eyes?

FACE: Does one side droop?

ARM: Does one arm drift down when the person is asked to hold up both arms?

SPEECH: Unable to repeat a sentence?

TIME: If the answer is “yes” to any of these questions, it’s time to call 911 or go to the nearest hospital.

Reduce your risk

You can lower your chances of stroke by following these tips:

• Don’t smoke or allow others to smoke around you.
• Limit alcohol to 2 drinks a day for men and 1 drink a day for women.
• Stay at a healthy weight. Being overweight makes it more likely you will develop high blood pressure, heart problems, and diabetes. These conditions make a stroke more likely.
• Do activities that raise your heart rate. Get at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week. Walking is a good choice. You also may want to do other activities, such as running, swimming, or cycling.
• Eat heart-healthy foods. These include fruits, vegetables, high-fiber foods, and foods that are low in sodium, saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol. Eat fish at least 2 times each week. Oily fish, which contain omega-3 fatty acids, are best. These fish include salmon, mackerel, lake trout, herring, and sardines.

*If you reasonably believe you have an emergency medical condition, which is a medical or psychiatric condition that requires immediate medical attention to prevent serious jeopardy to your health, call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Department.

Source: Kaiser Permanente