Archbold Medical Center| Archives Magazine | Winter 2018

12 ARCHBOLD MEDICAL CENTER STROKES CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE at any time. A stroke happens when blood flow to the brain is blocked or interrupted. And when blood flow is interrupted, brain cells start to die. This interruption of blood is most often caused by a clot that blocks a blood vessel in the brain. A less common cause is a blood vessel that breaks and bleeds into the brain. Quick treatment is essential to reduce the risk of serious complications, disability and death. Time is the most import- ant factor if you think you are having a stroke. The faster you can get to a hospital, the better your chances are for recovery. Strokes can happen to anyone at any time, but there are steps you can take to help prevent one from happening. 1 Keep blood pressure and cholesterol at optimal levels. According to the National Stroke Association, people who have high blood pressure have one and a half times the risk of having a stroke compared to those who WHEN IS IT TIME TO ACT F.A.S.T.? F ACE DROOPING. Is one side of the face drooping or numb? Ask the person to smile—is the smile uneven? What are the signs of a stroke? A RM WEAKNESS. Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms out to the sides, and take note if one arm drifts downward. S PEECH DIFFICULTY. Can the person speak at all? Is speech slurred or other- wise difficult to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Can they repeat it correctly? T IME TO CALL 911. If a person has any of these symptoms, call 911 for help. Call even if symp- toms go away, and note the time so you can let medical personnel know what time symptoms started. STR KE consistently have optimal blood pressure of 120/80 mm Hg. 2 If you have diabetes or heart disease, work with your doctor to get the condition under control. People with diabetes are up to four times more likely to have a stroke than people who don’t have diabetes, mainly because people with diabetes often have other stroke risk factors, such as high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation and high cholesterol. 3 Maintain a healthy weight, eat a nutritious diet and get regular exercise. A healthy diet can help you reduce the risk of chronic diseases, improve your overall health, and help you reach or maintain a healthy weight. Remember, a stroke is a medical emergency. Always call 911 right away if you or someone you’re with is showing signs of a stroke. Sources: American Heart Association; National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; National Institutes of Health; National Stroke Association