Strokes can happen to anyone, at any age. Chrissy Meyer with the American Heart Association says that globally about one in four adults over the age of 25 will have a stroke in their lifetime. She adds that most adults don’t know the warning signs of a stroke and that strokes are preventable and treatable.
A stroke happens when normal blood flow in the brain is interrupted. When parts of the brain don’t get the oxygen-rich blood they need, those affected brain cells die. In cases of stroke, response time matters.
Meyer says people should remember a simple acronym for stroke recognition: F.A.S.T.
F – Face drooping or numbness
A – Arm weakness or numbness
S – Speech difficulty
T – Time – if someone exhibits the symptoms, call 911 immediately.
People should talk to their doctors about managing risk factors for strokes. Meyer says quitting smoking or vaping, being more active, eating healthier, and managing your blood pressure can help prevent strokes.
Learn more at http://www.stroke.org.