Stroke Care Preparedness
Strokes have become the leading cause of disability and the third leading cause of death in the United States. In the GRMC service area more than 80 individuals experienced a stroke. Your best preparation is to know the symptoms and what you need to do if you or someone around you exhibits the symptoms.
If you or someone you know is experiencing any signs or symptoms of a stroke, call 911 immediately.
Signs of a stroke include:
- Sudden weakness on one side (in the face, arm, or leg)
- Problems speaking, slurred speech, or inability to remember words
- Difficulty walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden confusion
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
- Sudden inability to move part of the body (paralysis)
- Difficulty swallowing
- Brief loss of consciousness
If medical attention can be given at the earliest possible moment, it can possibly save a life or reduce the amount of disability that may occur from the stroke.
Do not call the emergency department, the physician’s office, a friend, or simply choose to ignore the symptoms. Immediate medical attention can make result in permanent disability or death.
Stroke risk factors
- Elevated blood pressure (#1 risk factor that can be controlled to avoid a stroke)
- Heart disease
- High cholesterol
- A sedentary lifestyle
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Heavy drinking
- Use of birth control pills
- Stress
- Abuse of stimulant drugs such as amphetamines
- Atrial fibrillation
- Uncontrolled diabetes
GRMC Cardiology Providers