(Family Features) Stroke can happen to anyone – it happens to more than 800,000 people every year in the United States. Knowing the signs of stroke and how to prevent it can help protect you or your loved ones from disabilities caused by stroke. That’s why the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), part of the National Institutes of Health, created the “Know Stroke”campaign to disrupt stroke and help people in your community who might be at risk of stroke through prevention, treatment and research.
“Seconds are critical when someone is having a stroke,” said Dr. Clinton Wright, vascular neurologist and director of the Division of Clinical Research at NINDS. “It’s important to know the signs.
” Know Stroke Most strokes happen when the brain stops getting the blood supply it needs to work properly. Without enough blood flow, the brain starts to lose function. Two million brain cells die every minute during stroke, which is why stroke prevention is important.
Preventing stroke protects you from developing disabilities that stroke may cause like speech problems, limited movement and memory loss. Know the Signs of Stroke Stroke symptoms often appear suddenly and can be easily missed. Treating stroke by getting to a hospital quickly is critical to prevent brain damage.
If you see these signs, act F.A.S.
T.: F ace drooping: One side of the face droops when smiling A rm weakness: If both arms are raised, one drifts down S peech difficulty: Sl.