Knowing the symptoms of a stroke may save your life or the life of someone you love. Remember that it’s not necessary to have all of these warning signs in order to take action. If you or someone close to you has any of these signs, act quickly. Call 911 and take an ambulance to a stroke-certified hospital. Symptoms of stroke may include:

Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.

Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.

Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.

Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination

Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

Do you think someone is having a stroke?

Remember the word “F.A.S.T.” and act quickly:

Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of their face droop?

Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Does the speech sound slurred or strange?

Time: If you observe any of these signs — call 911.

Risk factors for stroke

Some risk factors can be changed or treated, others cannot. By knowing your own risk factors and having regular medical checkups, you can lower your chances of having a stroke

WHAT YOU CAN CHANGE OR TREAT

High blood pressure. This is the single most important risk factor for stroke because it is the No. 1 cause of stroke. Know your blood pressure and have it checked at least once every two years. If it’s consistently 140/90 or above, it’s high. Talk to your doctor about how to control it.

Your risk is also increased if you have diabetes mellitus, carotid or other artery disease, TIA’s (mini-strokes that produce stroke-like symptoms but no lasting effects,) atrial fibrillation or other heart disease and certain blood disorders such as sickle cell anemia.

Other risk factors that can be altered: High blood cholesterol, physical inactivity, obesity, excessive alcohol intake, tobacco use or illegal drug use.

FACTORS THAT YOU CAN’T CONTROL

Increasing age.

Gender. More men than women have strokes, but more women die from stroke.

Heredity and race. People whose close blood relatives have had a stroke have a higher risk. African-Americans have a higher risk of death and disability because they have high blood pressure more often. Hispanic Americans are also at higher risk.

Prior stroke.

SOURCE: American Stroke Association.