May is American Stroke Awareness Month, so it’s worth taking some time to familiarize yourself with signs and symptoms that can help you recognize a stroke.
Dr. Joseph Gorz is a board-certified family practice physician that practices at Neighborhood Primary Care in Lake Orion, MI. Here, he provides all types of family care, including diagnosis and treatment of chronic diseases such as stroke.
What you Need to Know About Strokes
More than 795,000 Americans suffer from a stroke each year, making this condition the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S. What’s more is that strokes cause more serious chronic disabilities than any other condition. Around 75% of strokes occur in men and women over the age of 65. Each decade after the age of 55, your chance of having a stroke doubles.
Understanding B.E.F.A.S.T.
B.E.F.A.S.T. is an anacronym used to help you remember and identify the signs of a stroke. It also helps you to remember the importance of acting quickly if you spot any of these signs:
- B – Balance: Has the individual suddenly lost control of their coordination or balance?
- E – Eyes: Is the individual having a sudden shift in vision or difficulty seeing?
- F – Face: Ask the individual to smile. Are you noticing that one side of the face is drooping?
- A – Arms: Ask the individual to raise both of their arms. Is one arm sinking downwards?
- S – Speech: Ask the individual to repeat a simple sentence. Does their speech sound slurred?
- T – Timing: If you see any of these signs, do not hesitate. Call 9-1-1 immediately.
Learning about strokes can help you to act quickly and save the life of a friend, family member, or co-worker. You can also reduce your risk of stroke by making healthy lifestyle changes.
If you are looking for a primary care practitioner in Lake Orion, MI, call (248) 690-9181 to reach Neighborhood Primary Care.