While stroke is the fifth leading cause of death, getting to a hospital for immediate treatment can save a life.
In a stroke, a lack of oxygen reaches the brain causing loss of motor function and loss of the ability to talk and see. But Dr. Sung Lee, a neurologist at Northeast Georgia Medical Center said if symptoms are recognized quickly and treatment is given quickly, a person can survive a stroke.
Lee said there are two types of strokes. One is called an ischemic stroke, caused by a blockage of an artery that causes lack of oxygen to the brain. Nearly 90 percent of strokes are ischemic. The second type is called a hemorrhagic stroke, which is bleeding into or around the brain.
"Any time a blood vessel is blocked, where, let's say you have ischemic stroke, for every minute, there are millions of brain cells that are dying due to lack of oxygen," Lee said "So the sooner that we can recognize and be able to evaluate and then be able to do appropriate therapy. If you come in within four-and-a-half hours of symptom onset, that is the extended time. The goal is to come sooner than that."
May is National Stoke Awareness Month, and Lee and others are encouraging people to learn the symptoms of stokes. Lee suggests using the acronym BE FAST to remember the signs of stroke, and what to do if someone near you is experiencing them.
B – Balance: Does the person have a sudden loss of balance?
E – Eyes: Have the person lose vision in one or both eyes?
F – Face: Does the person's face look uneven?
A – Arms: Is one arm numb or weak?
S – Speech: Is the person's speech slurred? Does the person have trouble speaking or seem confused?
T – Time: Call 911 now.
Lee said people can reduce their risk of having a stroke by maintain good overall health. He said high blood pressure, high cholesterol and a diet of high fat foods are all risk factors associated with stroke.
He also recommends regular cardio exercise.
"We also want to make sure that we incorporate good quality general cardiovascular exercise, so that more blood that you get to the brain, the better," he said. "It stimulates brain health, as well as heart health."
