Stay Safe – National Stroke Awareness Month

Two-thirds of all strokes occur in people over the age of 65.  Seniors need to be aware of and reduce their risk factors.  And, it is critical to have their blood pressure checked regularly. According to the American Heart Association, someone has a stroke every 40 seconds in the U.S. That adds up to nearly as many strokes each year as heart attacks. The risk of stroke for seniors is also a concern–stroke risk almost doubles every 10 years after the age of 55. Fortunately, research has yielded tons of helpful information in recent years. There are effective ways to lower your stroke risk and live a longer, healthier life.

FACT #1: One in four stroke survivors have a second stroke.

FACT #2: Stroke deaths have decreased, due in part to earlier and better treatment of high blood pressure.

FACT #3: Under recent guidelines, nearly half of all adults in the U.S. have a high blood pressure reading of 130/80or higher.

FACT #4: Calling 911 is the fastest proven way to access treatment because hospitals are set up to treat stroke patients arriving by ambulance.

FACT #5: Up to 20 percent of all ischemic stroke patients are currently eligible for mechanical clot removal. New guidelines could increase this number.

Know the symptoms associated with stroke shared by the National Stroke Foundation shown below. These simple signs can help you determine if further medical care is necessary for your loved ones.

F.A.S.T.

Face drooping – Does one side of the face droop or feel numb? Is the person’s smile uneven?

Arm weakness – Is one arm weak or numb? Does one arm drift downward?

Speech difficulty – Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand?

Time to call for help – get the person to the hospital immediately. Check the time so you’ll know when the first symptoms appeared.

Assisting Hands® Home Care is dedicated to ensuring the health, safety and comfort of your loved ones. From a trip to the grocery store, a helping hand up the stairs or folding the clothes – we deliver care to you when life’s events require extra help. Give us a call today.