A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted. Strokes are one of America’s leading causes of disability today. High blood pressure, a large contributing factor to a stroke, can often go unnoticed because there are no actual symptoms. If high blood pressure goes unnoticed for too long, other health issues such as a heart attack or kidney failure can result. Stress can also often be a contributing factor, which we are all too familiar with within our busy lives today. It is important to be aware of the common stroke signs.
If you are around someone who may be experiencing a stroke but are unsure, a helpful way to remember the warning signs is by the acronym B.E. F.A.S.T.
B = Balance. Is the person losing balance or feeling dizzy?
E = Eyes. Are they experience blurred vision?
F = Face. Is one side of their face drooping?
A = Arms. Is one of their arms numb or weaker than the other?
S = Speech. Is their speech slurred or becoming difficult to understand?
T = Time. Is it time to call 911? Time is critical at this point, so act fast and call immediately!
If we can distinguish these signs, we might save a life. To reduce the chances of having a stroke, get enough sleep (7-8 hours), incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet, increase your daily amount of exercise, and get regular checkups. Although we profit from knowing this information alone, putting our health as a priority in our life and living out these preventative steps will ultimately benefit us in the long run.
About the Author, Giovanna Gomez:
Giovanna currently works in Foster City at Gilead Sciences where she is a fitness specialist at the Wellbeing Center. She first started with BaySport 3 years ago as a physical therapy aide at the Redwood Shores office. She graduated from San Francisco State University where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in movement science. Giovanna has always liked being active, having played soccer for 15 years, joining various group exercise classes, working out at home during the whole pandemic lockdown, and going on hikes when she can. In her free time, she likes to check out new coffee shops and be with her dog.
Sources:
https://newsroom.heart.org/events/may-is-american-stroke-month-and-hypertension-awareness-and-more
