May is Stroke Awareness Month, an opportunity to increase awareness about the signs and symptoms of a stroke. When it comes to strokes, every second counts. Acting quickly can make a big difference between recovery and serious disability, or even life and death. If you are with someone and they suddenly seem off or are acting strangely, there are things you can do to help them and identify a stroke quickly.
The B.E.F.A.S.T. acronym, endorsed by the American Stroke Association, is one of the best tools for recognizing stroke.
- B – Balance: sudden loss of balance, dizziness or trouble walking
- E – Eyes: blurred vision, double vision or loss of vision in one or both eyes
- F – Face: drooping on one side of the face or looks uneven when they smile
- A – Arms: weakness or numbness in one arm
- S – Speech: sudden slurred or difficult speech, trouble speaking
- T – Time: call 911 immediately, even if symptoms cease
Other warning signs include sudden confusion, a severe headache or numbness on one side of the body.
While waiting for help to arrive, you can take these important steps:
- Help them lie on their side with their head slightly elevated if they’re conscious
- If they become unconscious or stop breathing, begin CPR
- Stay calm and reassure them that help is on the way
- Do not give them any medication, food or drinks
You can lower your risk of stroke by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Manage your blood pressure, avoid smoking, exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet that’s low in sodium and saturated fats.
Primary care providers play an important role in stroke prevention and recovery. While they don’t treat strokes in the moment, they help manage ongoing risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
If you’re in need of a primary care physician, Southwoods offers a network of more than 40 providers across 20 locations inMahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties. Call 330-729-8100 or visit SouthwoodsHealth.com/Primary-Care for more information.