May is American Stroke Month
Stroke is a leading cause of death and permanent brain injury among adults in the United States. Black and Hispanic Americans have the highest risk for stroke. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity can increase your risk.
Signs of stroke may include sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg (typically on one side of the body). Other warning signs include trouble seeing, walking or speaking and unexplained sudden, severe headache.
Treatment is most effective and successful when it is administered as quickly as possible after symptoms appear. Timely surgery, clot busting drugs or image-guided intracranial vascular treatments can result in a complete or near-complete recovery from the effects of stroke.
Your risk for stroke increases as you age, but some lifestyle changes – such as quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and exercising more – can help decrease that risk.
Remember— stroke is treatable when recognized quickly. Know the symptoms and get emergency medical help promptly when you see the signs.
See the stroke page for more information. For more about stroke risk, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, visit:
Diagnosis:
- Carotid Artery Screening
- Carotid Ultrasound
- Head CT
- Catheter Angiography
- MR Angiography (MRA)
- Head MRI
- Vascular Ultrasound
- CT Angiography
Prevention & Treatments:
- Angioplasty and Vascular Stenting
- Catheter-directed Thrombolysis
- Stereotactic Radiosurgery
- Embolization of Brain Aneurysms and Fistulas
This page was reviewed on May 01, 2024