Every minute counts: Know the warning signs of a stroke

BATON ROUGE — Would you know if you or a loved one were having a stroke? When every minute counts, it’s important to recognize the signs, according to the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana news release. May is National Stroke Awareness Month, which makes it the perfect time to learn about strokes and how to lower stroke risk.
A stroke is caused by blocked blood flow to the brain and this can affect your speech, movement and memory, according to the news release. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that nationwide, someone has a stroke every 40 seconds.
Strokes are a leading cause of death and a leading cause of long-term disability in the U.S. Louisiana is among the states with the highest death rates from strokes.
“When someone is having a stroke, the sooner you call for help, the better,” said Dr. Larry Simon, interim senior medical director and Medicare medical director at Blue Cross. “We were taught in medical school that ‘time is brain.’ This means that people who are treated shortly after having a stroke are more likely to live through it and less likely to have ongoing, serious outcomes. That’s why it’s so important for everyone to know the warning signs and be ready to get immediate medical attention. You could save a life.”
Warning signs of a stroke include:
—Weakness in the face, arm or leg.
—Difficulty speaking.
—Vision loss.
—Dizziness.
—Brief loss of consciousness.
If you think someone is having a stroke, call 911.
Strokes can happen at any age, but the risk is higher if you’re over age 65. Other things that can increase the risk of stroke are:
—Smoking and drinking.
—High blood pressure.
—High cholesterol.
—Diabetes.
—Eating foods high in salt, saturated fat or sugar on a regular basis.
People who have already had a stroke can be at a higher risk for having future strokes. The good news is that up to 80% of strokes could be prevented by living a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise, nutritious eating habits and quitting or avoiding tobacco.
Blue Cross advises to talk to a primary care provider about what can be done to avoid a stroke. An annual wellness visit is the perfect time to ask how to stay healthy.
Anyone who has had a stroke before, should ask how to lower the risk of it happening again. A provider may prescribe medication to help keep with numbers for blood pressure or other indicators in a healthy range. Those who are prescribed medication, should take it exactly as the provider advised.
Get more tips to help prevent strokes in a video online at www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3ipeo1I1ko.
Visit the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana YouTube channel to see short videos with the clinical team and others on various health topics.