Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States suffers a stroke. Stroke is now the fourth leading cause of death in this country and a top cause of disability.
I recently spoke with registered nurse Kelly McNeil-Jones about ways to reduce your risk of stroke. Some of the most effective strategies are to control high blood pressure, lower cholesterol and fat intake, avoid smoking, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, maintain a healthy weight, drink alcohol in moderation or not at all and if you have diabetes, keep it under control.
The key to stroke survival is recognizing the symptoms early and getting medical assistance quickly. If you experience the following symptoms, call 9-1-1 fast and tell the person who answers, "I think I'm having a stroke!" Warning signs include:
-Sudden numbness, tingling or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
-Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or trouble understanding
-Sudden difficulty seeing in one or both eyes
-Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or loss of coordination
-Sudden severe headache with no known cause
If you live in the Baltimore/DC area, don't miss the 5th Annual Power to End Stroke Jazz Brunch and Food Tasting on May 19, 2012. It's a wonderful opportunity to enjoy great music while learning about stroke prevention and heart healthy cooking. For more information, click here: http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Affiliate/5th-Annual-Power-To-End-Stroke-Jazz-Brunch-Food-Tasting_UCM_438164_Event.jsp
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