Stroke Awareness: Reduce Your Risk, Know the Signs, Act F.A.S.T.

Strokes can happen quickly. When they do, every second counts. Fortunately, there are things you can do to reduce your risk. Understanding risk factors, recognizing stroke signs, and acting quickly can save brain function and lives.

How Stress and Health Habits Contribute to Stroke Risk

A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted by a clot (ischemic stroke) or a ruptured blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke). Chronic stress and unhealthy lifestyle habits can increase your risk.

According to Yale Medicine, chronic stress is “a consistent sense of feeling pressured and overwhelmed over a long period of time.” Over time, it can have serious negative effects on your health:

• Increased blood pressure: Stress raises blood pressure and constricts blood vessels.
• Inflammation: Ongoing inflammation in the body can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of blood clots.
• Heart strain: Stress hormones like cortisol force the heart to work harder.
• Unhealthy habits: Smoking, unhealthy eating, and substance use can all contribute to increasing your risk. 

The good news is, stress-reducing habits like exercise, mindfulness, healthy eating, good sleep, and mental health support can help. Controlling blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes, and quitting smoking are also key. As Kendra Pauley, FNP-C, explains, “Diet and exercise can help. And, quitting smoking is one of the most effective ways to protect your brain and heart.”

Recognizing the Signs of a Stroke

Knowing the warning signs of a stroke can make all the difference. Riverside Healthcare uses the BE FAST method:

• B – Balance: Trouble walking or dizziness
• E – Eyes: Blurred or double vision
• F – Face: Drooping on one side
• A – Arms: Weakness or numbness
• S – Speech: Slurred or difficult speech
• T – Time: Time lost is brain lost - call 911 immediately

“Don’t wait,” Pauley warns. “There are medicines we can give if you’re in a certain timeframe. Call 911 right away.”

What to Do When a Stroke Strikes

If you recognize signs of stroke in yourself or someone around you, it is critical that you call 911 and ask to be taken to the emergency room right away. Ambulance crews can provide the hospital with advance notice that a stroke patient is arriving, and ER doctors can perform an initial evaluation upon arrival.

The longer you wait, the more brain tissue is dying,” Pauley emphasizes. “We’d rather you come in and let us check you out.”

A speedy response can restore blood flow, limit brain damage, and improve recovery.

The Bottom Line

Stroke risk is shaped by daily habits and overall health. Managing stress, making healthy choices, and knowing the signs can reduce your risk. And if a stroke occurs, acting quickly can make all the difference.

As a Primary Stroke Center, Riverside meets national standards for stroke diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. And, with the backing of Riverside Healthcare’s full system of neurologists, neurosurgeons, rehabilitation specialists, and more, we can offer remarkable care for every step of your recovery journey, right where you live.

To learn more about neurology care at Riverside Healthcare, call (815) 935-0750 or visit myrhc.net/neurologycare