Stroke Awareness Month

May is Stroke Awareness Month and we are here to help educate the public on strokes and what to look out for.

 

What is a stroke?**

A stroke is a disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. It is the 5th leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States.

A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or ruptures. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood (and oxygen) it needs, so it and brain cells die.

 

What are the types of stroke?**

Stroke can be caused either by a clot obstructing the flow of blood to the brain (called an ischemic stroke) or by a blood vessel rupturing and preventing blood flow to the brain (called a hemorrhagic stroke). A TIA (transient ischemic attack), or “mini stroke”, is caused by a temporary clot.

 

Risk Factors That Can Be Managed**

Fact: 80 percent of strokes are preventable.

You can control or treat these risk factors with lifestyle changes and your healthcare provider’s help:

  • High blood pressure
  • Smoking
  • High blood cholesterol
  • Lack of regular activity
  • Obesity or overweight
  • Diabetes

 

What are the symptoms of a stroke?**

 

Stroke Statistics**

 

2022 Stat Update Infographic

To learn more, please visit the American Stroke Association’s website at www.stroke.org.

**“About Stroke.” Www.stroke.org, 2022, https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke.