going deeper

May is National Stroke Awareness Month, and while many people think of strokes as something that happens only to older people, stroke can happen at any age. It’s important to know the signs of a stroke so you can get help fast for you or a loved one.

While strokes can occur for many reasons, these factors may increase your risk of stroke.

• Parent(s) who had a stroke before age 65

• High blood pressure

• Black/African American ethnicity

• Obesity and/or lack of physical activity

• High cholesterol

• Heart disease including atrial fibrillation (A-fib) or carotid artery disease

• Smoking

• Poor diet high in fat, trans fat and cholesterol

When someone is having a stroke, it’s important to get medical help quickly Just remember the acronym, FAST.

• F – Facial drooping

• A – Arm weakness

• S – Speech difficulty

• T – Time to call 911 immediately

Sometimes factors like genetics or other conditions like sickle cell disease influence an individual’s stroke risk, but there are lifestyle changes you can make to make it less likely.

Reduce your risk of stroke with these tips.

• Prevent or control high blood pressure

• Eat healthy foods like fruit, vegetables, fish and whole grains

• Get 7-8 hours of sleep per night

• Be physically active daily

• Keep a healthy weight based on your Body Mass Index (BMI)

• Do not smoke

• Control your blood sugar if you have diabetes

• Mange your cholesterol

If you or a loved one has a stroke, rest assured that Adventist HealthCare provides quick, life-saving stroke care and all of the tools needed to recover. Learn about our award-winning stroke centers and rehab services.

 Each Wednesday at 7:40 am, Jerry & Blanca speak with local health professional, Rose Melendez, who offers helpful tips for your health and well-being, brought to you by our friends at Adventist HealthCare. Find more Health Tips here.