Stroke: Knowledge Is Your Best Defense

Research shows that a lot of people are unaware of the causes and warning signs of stroke — facts that could save their lives. Many strokes can be prevented, and those that do strike can often be successfully treated if people seek emergency care right away.

“With a stroke, there’s a short window of time before major neurological damage can occur,” states Gary Popovetsky, D.O., an emergency medicine physician at Jersey Shore University Medical Center. “If you experience stroke symptoms, such as difficulty speaking, dizziness, double vision, slurring, facial numb ness, or weakness on one side of the body, it’s very important to call 911 as quickly as possible.”

Do you know how to protect yourself against stroke? Check T for true and F for false:

1. High blood pressure is the most com- mon risk factor for stroke. T or F
2. Certain nutrients in your diet can lower your stroke risk. T or F
3. Fatigue and chest pains are warning signs of stroke. T or F
4. If you suspect a stroke, lie down until the symptoms subside. Then, call your doctor. T or F

1. True. Studies show that even a slight reduction in blood pressure can reduce stroke risk by as much as 42 percent in people with high blood pressure. Other chronic conditions also increase the risk of stroke, including heart disease, diabetes, and high cholesterol.

2.True. Research indicates that getting enough folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6 can lower stroke risk. In addition, experts recommend eating lots of fruits and veg- etables, and limiting your intake of salt and saturated fat. Other lifestyle choices that decrease stroke risk include:

• not smoking. Research indicates that smoking increases the risk of stroke by 50 percent. But within five years after quitting, former smokers can expect their risk level to fall to that of people who have never smoked.
• exercising regularly. Moderate exercise has been shown to reduce stroke risk by as much as 41 percent.
• limiting alcohol to light or moderate consumption

3. False. Warning signs include:

• sudden weakness or numbness of the face or limbs
• sudden dimming or loss of vision, par- ticularly in one eye
• sudden difficulty speaking or under- standing speech
• sudden, severe headache with no known cause
• unexplained dizziness or sudden falls, especially when accompanied by other signs.

4. False. Get to the emergency room right away. Speed is critical. Clot-dissolving drugs and other medications can maximize a person’s chance for a full recovery if delivered in time.