Commemorate National Stroke Month
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.