Warning Signs and Prevention

How to prevent a stroke

The good news about stroke is that it is largely preventable. You can take steps to prevent stroke by reducing and controlling a number of risk factors. Controllable risk factors include:

• High blood pressure
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• High cholesterol
• Physical inactivity

Warning signs of a stroke

• 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.

Remember to think FAST

• F – does the Face look uneven (ask the person to smile)
• A – does one Arm drift down (ask the person to raise both arms)
• S – does their Speech sound strange (ask the person to repeat a simple phrase, for example: “the sky is blue”)
• T – Time to call 911 if you observe any of these signs

Signs of a “mini stroke”

Transient Ischemic Attack or TIA, is a “mini stroke” that occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery for a short period of time. The symptoms of a TIA are like the warning signs of a stroke but usually only last a few minutes. TIAs are strong predictors of whether or not you are at risk for stroke. Don’t ignore these warning signs and be sure to seek medical attention immediately.

For more information about the signs and prevention of strokes please visit these websites:

• National Stroke Association – Stroke Risk Scorecard
• American Stroke Association