May has been designated as American Stroke Month and the emphasis is on raising the awareness of the threat to health posed by stroke along with information that can help to improve treatment of stroke in a timely fashion.

• Stroke Can Be Prevented
  
  • If you smoke QUIT! The most important action you can take to help prevent stroke is quitting smoking. Smoking narrows blood vessels and slows blood flow increasing the risk of a blood clot lodging in an artery in the brain and causing a stroke.
  • If you are a heavy drinker, quit or at least cut back. Heavy alcohol intake increases the risk of a hemorrhage (bleeding) type stroke. These types of stroke have a much higher mortality and disability rate than those caused by blood clots
  • If you have high blood pressure follow the treatment recommendations of your doctor, including taking the medications prescribed, following diet restrictions and increasing exercise. Exercise and weight loss are the most effective treatments for high blood pressure.
  • If you are a diabetic keep your blood sugar under control by following your doctors treatment plan. Check your blood sugar levels as recommended (usually before meals and at bedtime) and follow the diet and exercise regime your doctor recommends. See your doctor promptly when you feel you may have an infection.
  • Try to limit stress in your life. Take time for yourself, take up a hobby, start an exercise program and unwind.
• Recognize the Symptoms of Stroke and SEEK MEDICAL TREATMENT IMMEDIATELY if you have any of these symptoms:
  • Blurring vision or loss of vision in a part of the eye.
  • Slurred speech or inability to speak.
  • Weakness or inability to move on one side of the body

Ask your doctor about your risk of stroke and what you can do to prevent it.