Get Healthy Carson City: With strokes, every second counts

May is National Stroke Awareness Month. Carson City Health and Human Services is sharing information from the American Stroke Association. Reading this article could save your life or the life of someone you love. (https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke)
A stroke happens when oxygen and nutrients cannot get to the brain when a blood vessel is blocked or bursts. When this happens cells in the brain die and no longer work as they once did. Nearly 2 million brain cells can die each minute. Knowing the signs and symptoms of stroke and calling 911 needs to happen F.A.S.T.
F – Face Drooping
A – Arm Weakness
S – Speech Difficulties
T – Time to call 911
With Face Drooping one side of the face might droop or be numb. Ask the person to smile. Is it lopsided? Arm weakness usually occurs on one side. Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm slip downward? For Speech Difficulties look for slurred speech. The person might not be able to speak or may be hard to understand. Ask the person to repeat a short sentence. Sometimes a person having a stroke may also become suddenly confused, have trouble seeing from one or both eyes. A person may also have a severe headache, feel dizzy, and may lose their balance or have trouble walking.
Not sure if someone is having a stroke? Don’t second guess. Calling 911 can prevent long term effects and death.
To know if you or someone you love is at risk for stroke take a short quiz. For each risk factor, select the box (higher risk or lower risk) that applies to you. Select only one box per risk factor.
Enter a 1 on the blank line below each checked box. Then add up your total for each column.

Did you know that 80 % of strokes can be prevented? Talk to your health care provider about the results of your quiz. Then, talk to your health care provider about the seven health tips can make the difference.

• Manage blood pressure

• Control cholesterol

• Lower blood sugar

• Get active

• Eat healthy

• Lose weight if you are overweight

• Stop smoking

Every second counts. Learning the fact about stroke can save lives.