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Did you know that according to the American Stroke Association...
- Stroke can be prevented!
- Stroke happens every 45 seconds in the U.S.
- More than 700,000 new strokes every year in the U.S.?
- Oklahoma has 85 strokes/day!
- Stroke is the third leading cause of death, but the #1 cause of adult disability in the U.S.
- Every minute matters recognizing and treating stroke –no time to waste getting help!
- For every 12 minutes stroke treatment is delayed, a pea-sized piece of brain dies. Time Lost IS Brain Lost!!
Did you know that risk factors for stroke include:
- High blood pressure (140/90) is the MOST SIGNIFICANT STROKE RISK – BUT lowering even the bottom number 5-6 points from 90 lowers stroke risk 30-40%.
- Age (2/3 of strokes happen over 65yo, but 1/3 happen younger than 65yo)
- Heart disease (especially an irregular heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation)
- Previous stroke or TIA (transient ischemic attack - often called “mini stroke”)
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- High cholesterol
- Heavy alcohol use
- Sedentary lifestyle
Did you know the warning signs of stroke are SUDDEN:
- Slurred speech, loss of speech or inability to understand speech
- Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Weakness, numbness or paralysis
- Severe headaches w/no known cause
- Confusion, dizziness or loss of balance or coordination.
If even 1 of these symptoms occur, ACT FAST (Face is uneven, one Arm drifts down, Speech coming out strangely, then it’s TIME – TIME TO CALL 911!)
Did you know that INTEGRIS Stroke Center of Oklahoma at Southwest Medical Center:
- Has a Code Stroke Team (rapid response of specially trained doctors and nurses specifically for stroke in the Emergency Dept) which meets & exceeds the national standards for rapidly treating stroke.
- Has Oklahoma City’s only dedicated Stroke Unit whose nurses are specially trained in the care, assessment & management of stroke.
For more information about stroke, go to www.StrokeAssociation.org, www.americanheart.org, or call the INTEGRIS Healthline at (405) 951-2277.
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