Lower Your Risk of Stroke

Someone in the U.S. has a stroke about once every 40 seconds, according to the American Heart Association.

Remember the acronym F.A.S.T. to determine if someone suffered a stroke.

F – Face droops
A – Arm weakness or numbness
S – Speech is slurred
T – Time is critical! Call 9-1-1 immediately!

Lower Your Chances of Having a Stroke

The American Heart Association recommends the following guidelines to possibly avoid a stroke in the future.

  • Stop smoking. This includes limiting your contact with secondhand smoke.
  • Manage your weight. Most Americans over 20 are overweight or obese.
  • Get active. 1 in 3 U.S. adults say they don’t participate in any physical or leisurely activities.
  • Watch your cholesterol. About 43 percent of Americans have a total cholesterol of 200 mg/dL or higher.
  • Keep blood sugar and blood pressure under wraps. 21 million Americans have diagnosed diabetes and 80 million U.S. adults have high blood pressure.