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Stroke: Know the Signs. Save a Life |
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Every 45 seconds someone suffers a stroke. That’s eighty people every hour.
Stroke is the third-leading cause of death in Ohio and the leading cause of adult-onset disability, yet only 60% of those who would recognize a stroke when it happens realize that a stroke is an emergency.
What is a stroke? If you don’t know, you’re not alone. According to recent studies, almost everyone knows what a heart attack is, and that a heart attack is an emergency. Calling 911 when someone is having a heart attack is second nature to most of us.
Yet very few people realize that a stroke is actually a “brain attack” – like a heart attack, only in the brain. Strokes occur when the brain’s blood supply is interrupted by a clogged or a burst artery. This interruption of blood flow stops oxygen to the brain, killing brain cells. It’s the death of brain cells that results in permanent damage and disability - the tragic aftermath of many strokes.
Education Is Key
As a leader in the fight against stroke, Mount Carmel is raising awareness of stroke warning signs and the urgency of calling 911 if you think you or someone else is having a stroke.
If you see warning signs and seek emergency treatment you can save brain cells that may drastically improve your quality of life or that of a loved one. Common warning signs of stroke include:
- Numbness on one side of the body
- Sudden blurred or decreased vision
- Trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden, severe headache
- Loss of balance or coordination
A stroke is an emergency. Seconds count. If you see any of these symptoms in yourself or someone else, don’t wait. Call 911.
Complete our online Stroke Risk Assessment and learn about your risk for stroke.
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