stroke awareness monthIt’s a common misconception that only older people need to be on the lookout for warning signs of stroke. The reality is that the condition can occur at any age.

Check out the following statistics about stroke in younger Americans:

  • 15% of ischemic strokes occur in young adults and adolescents.
  • Over the past ten years, there was a 44% increase in hospitalization for young Americans due to stroke.
  • 73% of young Americans are unfamiliar with stroke symptoms.

Young people are not likely to recognize stroke symptoms or ignore them altogether, resulting in fatalities or more severe effects. High blood pressure is the number one risk factor for stroke, so being proactive about your heart health can decrease the likelihood of both heart disease and stroke.

Use the FAST Method to Identify Stroke

In honor of Stroke Awareness Month, we have compiled a list to help walk you through the process of identifying a stroke. More information is available on the National Stroke Awareness Month website.

Face: Does one side of the face droop down further than the other?

Arms: Does one arm drift downward?

Speech: Is speech strange or slurred?

Time: When these symptoms are present, it’s time to call 9-1-1.

We hope that our clients are able to use this information to identify when someone is in need of medical attention. The best way to reduce the severity of stroke is to get medical attention as soon as possible.