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HomeNewsAmerican Stroke Month begins May 1st

American Stroke Month begins May 1st

American Heart Association

American Heart AssociationNashville, TN – Are you stroke-smart? That’s the question we all face as American Stroke Month begins on Tuesday, May 1st.

Stroke is the Number 4 killer of Americans and Tennessee is in the “stroke belt” of the country with very high rates. A stroke can happen to all of us, young and old. In fact, the rate among young people is rising sharply.

Yet people who make healthy lifestyle choices can lower their risk of having a first stroke by as much as 80 percent compared with those who don’t make healthy choices, according to the American Stroke Association.

Are you stroke-smart? See if you know the following

These moves can help lower your risk of stroke:

  • Eat a low-fat diet high in fruits and vegetables
  • Drink alcohol and sugar-sweetened beverages in moderation
  • Exercise 30 minutes a day
  • Maintain healthy body weight, blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol
  • Don’t smoke

These are the warning signs of 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

And remember, if stroke warning signs happen, CALL 9-1-1. The faster you get treatment, the faster the damage can be minimized. Time lost is brain lost.

For more information, visit www.strokeassociation.org.

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