Stroke is the No. 3 cause of death and a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in America. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel bvringing blood and oxygen to the brain gets blocked or ruptures, and brain cells don't get the flow of blood that they need. Deprived of oxygen, nerve cells can't function and die within minutes. When nerve cells don't function, the part of the body they control can't function either. The devastating effects of stroke are often permanent because dead brain cells can't be replaced. Learn to recognize a stroke, because time lost is brain lost.
Warning signs of stroke:
- Sudden weakness or numbness 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
Learn the National Stroke Association's Act FAST(Face Arms Speech Time) Test:
- FACE: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
- ARMS: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
- SPEECH: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?
- TIME: If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately
source: American Heart Association/American Stroke Association
- Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
Stroke really is a serious issue to consider. It runs in my family, that's why I got myself Long Term Disability Insurance just in case.
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