Each year, more than 600,000 Americans die from heart disease. It is the leading cause of death for Americans. The number 3 killer of Americans is stroke. According to the CDC, stroke kills almost 130,000 Americans each year.
A majority of the cases are Ischemic where blood to the brain is blocked, causing long-term disability.
Dr. Michael Murphy, Emergency Medicine Physician at PRMC, says that a stroke occurs when the brain is deprived of blood.
Dr. Murphy says mini strokes, or warning strokes, last for a few minutes or a few hours. The symptoms last 1 to 5 minutes and it could be an indicator that a major stroke could occur shortly after.
F.A.S.T.
F – facial drooping
A – arm weakness
S – speech difficulties
T – time to call 911
Stoke Prevention
- Exercise program
- Quit smoking
- Screen for high blood pressure
- Screen for diabetes
