In this section you can learn about the symptoms, risk factors and prevention of stroke. You can also go to our resources page to connect with independent organizations offering information about neurosciences technology and neurological illness.
Unbuckling the Stroke Belt – Preventing Stroke and Other Neurological Problems
Stroke is a leading public health problem in the United States. It is:
- The third most common cause of death
- The leading cause of disability among adults
Some 730,000 Americans suffer a stroke every year. The economic impact of stroke on the patient and family both in healthcare costs and loss of productivity is enormous. The personal and emotional cost is immeasurable.
North Carolina is situated squarely in the Stroke Belt of the United States, a section of 12 southeastern states and the District of Columbia. Within this region, North Carolina ranks fifth in the number of strokes and number of deaths caused by stroke each year.
Who's at Risk?
Some of the things that may mean you are at higher-than-average risk of stroke include:
- Smoking and other tobacco use
- High blood pressure
- Living longer (Risk increases with age)
- African-American and American Indian heritage
- Having diabetes
- Stress
- Being overweight
- Physical inactivity
What Are the Symptoms?
Recognize a stroke by asking 3 simple questions. Ask them to:
- Smile.
- Raise both arms.
- Speak a simple sentence.
If they have trouble with ANY of these tasks, call 911 immediately.
Any of the signs and symptoms shown below can mean stroke.
Call 911 EVEN IF they seem to go away on their own!
- 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
Healthy Habits to Reduce Your Stroke Risk
Listed below are six habits you can adopt to reduce your risk of stroke. (Clue: Two are hard. But one is fun, one is delicious and one is easy).
- Quit smoking. It's the single most important health change anybody can make. Mission's Nicotine Dependence Program offers classes and support for people wanting to quit smoking or using other forms of tobacco. Call 828-213-0292 for more information.
- Maintain a healthy blood pressure. Your physician may suggest medications if they are needed.
- Get or keep your weight at a healthy level. Even a 10-pound weight loss can help reduce blood pressure. Mission's Women's Resource offers exercise classes and other wellness programs to keep people healthy. Click here or call 828-213-8250 for more information.
- Exercise consistently. Walking is excellent. And it IS fun once you get in the habit.
- Try the DASH diet—Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. Developed at Harvard University, this approach invites you to enjoy large quantities of fruits and vegetables and fat free dairy products. It is proven effective in lowering blood pressure for many people. For more information, click here: Dash Diet. At the very least, eat more produce--higher produce is linked with a lower risk of stroke.
- Ask your physician about taking aspirin. It helps prevent blood clots for many people. If you are looking for a primary care physician, click here to visit Mission's online physician database.
