Strokes are the sixth most common cause of death in our nation, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Every four minutes, a person has a stroke and dies. It's a significant problem that calls for elderly people and those close to them to take precautions.

Stroke Awareness Month is observed every May. It is committed to educating individuals about the risk factors and symptoms of stroke. We provide more details on both in honor of this month-long promotion.

FAST: Keep in mind the stroke warning signs

You can recognize the most typical indications of a stroke by using the acronym FAST:

Face:

Pay attention to someone's face if you think they could be experiencing a stroke. One side of the lips frequently droops after a stroke. Get a grin from them. If their grin appears off-balance or otherwise unusual, it is probably cause for worry. A face droop is not a sign of stroke in everyone, although it indicates a stroke.

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Arms:

The next area to investigate is their capacity to use their arms. Request that the subject attempt to lift both arms above their heads. They could be unable to lift one arm if they are having a stroke. Lift both arms and look to see whether one starts to droop. The inability to raise both arms might be a stroke warning sign.

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Speech:

The next area to examine is speech. To start chatting, ask them a couple of questions or anything else. Speaking issues, slurred words, using the same words or phrases again, and strange speech patterns should all be handled carefully. Speech issues are one of the most prevalent warning symptoms of a stroke because they affect blood flow to the brain.

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Time:

When a person is experiencing a stroke, every second matters. Call 911 right away if someone close to you is displaying any of the stroke symptoms mentioned above. Suggest a stroke to the dispatcher. Dialing 911 is often the quickest way to request assistance since life-saving stroke drugs must be administered quickly. Don't wait for cautionary indications to go away on their own.

Stroke risk factors in the military

Consume a balanced diet: Put fresh produce, low-fat proteins, and fruits and vegetables on your plate. Whole grains, nuts, and beans can all be beneficial. A healthy diet helps with cholesterol management and weight control, both of which can reduce the risk of having a stroke.

Watch how much salt you eat:

Patients who have high blood pressure or prehypertension should normally limit their daily salt intake to no more than 1500 mg. However, your doctor is the best person to tell you how much sodium is too much. Both circumstances raise the risk of stroke.

Avoid smoking:

People who smoke are twice as likely to have a stroke as people who don't smoke. Decide to stop smoking if you currently do. According to research, those who stop smoking live up to 3.4 years longer.

Keep moving:

Sedentary behavior is increasingly seen as just as dangerous as smoking. Keep moving and avoid spending a lot of time sitting down.

You may discover more about stroke prevention by completing this brief Test Your Stroke IQ quiz.

A different perspective on aging

We have a distinctive method for caring for residents here at Heritage Care Home Senior Living facilities. Residents have the highest possible quality of life thanks to our three pillars, which are Health and Wellness, Warmth and Hospitality, and Dining and Nutrition.