Signs of Stroke & Stroke Prevention

How quickly would you recognize the signs of stroke?

Quick recognition and treatment may reduce the impact of stroke. Call 911 immediately if these signs are evident in someone you know:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause

Risk Factors for Stroke

Some risk factors cannot be changed:

• Age
• Gender – Men have more strokes than women
• Race/ethnicity – African Americans have more strokes than other races
• Heredity

Risk factors that you CAN change:

• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Irregular heart rhythm/atrial fibrillation
• TIA/prior strokes
• Carotid stenosis
• High lipids/cholesterol
• Physical inactivity
• Cigarette smoking
• Alcohol abuse
• Obesity