May is National Stroke Awareness Month, designated to raise awareness about this silent killer. The annual campaign is actually run by the National Stroke Association, an organizations whose main purpose is to help individuals Save A Life through proper education about stroke. A stroke happens when blood flow to the brain is stopped by a blood clot or a hemorrhage within the brain. The interruption can cause the brain to die piece by piece which affects bodily function and can lead to mobility in the arm, leg or even the mouth. The goal of National Stroke Awareness Month is to inform Americans about the factors, symptoms and preventative measures. The key emphasis of National Stroke Awareness Month is to get people to Act FAST when they believe someone experiences a stroke. Most people don't realize that although stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States, an estimated 80 percent of strokes can actually be prevented by F.A.S.T.
F.A.S.T. is a system of symptoms to check for in someone you think may have suffered a stroke. F stands for face - does the face droop on one side? A represents arm -- after raising both arms, does one arm fall downwards? S is for speech - after repeating a basic phrase, does the individual's speech come across as slurred or strange. T represents time - if one or more of these symptoms appear, call 911 and ask for help immediately. It's also important to realize that a stroke can affect someone at any age, and more women succumb to death by stroke than men. The good news is that there are ways to prevent stroke. Know your blood pressure. Quit smoking. Consume alcohol in moderation. Lower your cholesterol. Exercise regularly. Address circulation issues. Lower your salt intake.