May is National Stroke Awareness month
| Signs of a stroke include being off balance and having slurred speech and arm weakness. Women are at a higher risk than men. Lifestyle choices such as smoking, drug abuse, poor diet and lack of physical activity are risk factors, as are medical conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and heart disease. Age, genetics, gender, and ethnicity — particularly those who are over age 75 or African American — can also play a role. Identifying and managing these risks with a healthcare provider is key to prevention. |
| The acronym B.E.F.A.S.T. helps identify symptoms quickly: Balance issues, Eyesight problems, a drooping Face, weakness in the Arms, Speech difficulties, and the urgency of Time. |