Stroke is a medical emergency that can be prevented if we understand the risk factors, and learn the warning signs. There are two categories of risk factors – those factors that are unmanageable, or that which we cannot control or change, and factors that are manageable. If we adjust our lifestyle or environment to address the manageable factors, we can lower our risk for stroke.

What You Can’t Change

• Age – as our age goes up, so does our risk for a stroke.
• Family history of stroke.
• Gender – males are at a higher risk for stroke than women.
• Race – African-Americans are at a higher risk for stroke than other groups.
• Personal history of diabetes.

What You Can Change, Treat or Modify
If treated and/or addressed by lifestyle change, these factors can reduce the risk of stroke:

• Know and control your blood pressure.
• Find out if you have atrial fibrillation.
• Control your diabetes.
• Know and manage your cholesterol.
• Eat a low sodium, low-fat diet.
• Control your weight.
• If you smoke, stop.
• If you use alcohol, do so only in moderation.
• Exercise regularly.

Warning Signs
The warning signs of stroke or brain attack are:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of 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.

Not all of these warning signs occur in every attack. Sometimes they go away and then return. If you have any cause for concern call 911 right away!