May is World Stroke Month each year. The purpose is to raise awareness of stroke prevention strategies as well as educate on how to detect a stroke and get immediate treatment. George W. Bush declared National Stroke Awareness Month in 1989; however, many nonprofits had been recognizing it for many years prior.
Strokes are dangerous and deadly. They are the number 5 killer and leading cause of disability in the United States. During the month of May, observing #StrokeAwarenessMonth can consist of educating yourself and others on the signs of a stroke, learning how to make lifestyle changes that prevent strokes and posting on social media to bring more attention to the cause.
FAST – Symptoms of a Stroke
Face: If someone tries to smile and one side of the face droops, this should be an alarming cause of concern.
Arm: If someone attempts to raise both arms and one seems lower than the other, this too should sound the alarm bells.
Speech: Slurred speech is indicative of a possible stroke.
Time: Do not delay in calling 911. Time is of the essence in getting treatment for any of the above indicators. Quickly seeking medical care can make a difference between living and dying as well as the level of recovery possible.
Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Strokes
Check your blood pressure often. High blood pressure, left untreated, is a key risk factor for stroke.
Nutrition.Increase the amount of fruits and vegetables in your diet. The Mayo Clinic recommends the DASH diet. DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. The DASH diet includes foods that are rich in potassium, calcium and magnesium. These nutrients help control blood pressure. The diet limits foods that are high in sodium, saturated fat and added sugars.
Smoking/Vaping. Do not smoke or vape.
Aerobic Exercise. Get at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. That equates to 20 minutes per day seven days a week or 30 minutes per day five days a week.
Sleep. Senior adults need at a minimum 7 hours of solid sleep per night.
Reduce stress. People with high levels of chronic stress and worry are more likely to die of a stroke.
At Stouffer Legal, we support #StrokeAwarenessMonth and hope you will learn the signs of a stroke as well as ways to prevent them. For more information on the elder law services we provide such as estate planning, retirement planning, long-term care planning and probate, contact our offices in the Greater Baltimore area for a consultation. You can schedule an appointment by calling us at (443) 470-3599 or emailing us at office@stoufferlegal.com.
