In an instant, your life can change because you or a loved one has a stroke, and you may not even notice it coming.
May is National Stroke Awareness Month, and every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke. A stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted, but its immediate impact can vary from person to person.
For some people, symptoms may include a drooping face, slurred speech or blurred vision. For others, it may be a fall or sudden weakness in the body.
Door County Medical Center Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jim Heise said people should “BE FAST” when it comes to stroke awareness. That means watching for symptoms involving balance, eyes, facial drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty and a severe headache.
People who smoke or have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes are at a higher risk of having a stroke.
