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One out of every 20 deaths in the United States is the result of a stroke. In fact, every 40 seconds, someone in this country experiences one. In honor of National Stroke Month, recognized every year in May, we offer more insight about these brain attacks and the signs that one may be happening to someone you care about.
What is a Stroke?
A stroke happens when blood flow to the brain is suddenly blocked or significantly reduced. It causes an interruption of oxygen and nutrients to the brain. There are two types of strokes to be aware of:
Both types of strokes can impact a person’s movement, speech, vision, cognitive abilities, and bodily functions. Someone who is experiencing a stroke may even lose consciousness.
Another closely related condition is a transient ischemic attack (TIA). While they are often referred to as a mini-stroke, they aren’t technically considered to be a stroke. A TIA is caused by a temporary blood clot. Symptoms are usually short-lived and resolve when the clot dissolves. A TIA is more common than the other two types of stroke.
An Easy Way to Remember the Warning Signs of a Stroke
F-A-S-T is an acronym created to recognize the most common signs that indicate someone is having a stroke. Each of the letters stands for a different symptom:
Learn More About Stroke Prevention
The next step is to learn what you and your senior loved one can do to prevent a stroke. While not all of the risk factors are avoidable, many are. The resource 5 Easy Steps To Lower Your Risk Of Stroke offers great information to help you get started!