According to the American Stroke Association, someone in America has a stroke every 45 seconds, and every three minutes, someone dies from one. Those are staggering statistics. High blood pressure increases the chance of a stroke occurring.
A stroke is often referred to as a “brain attack” because it affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. It occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, a part of the brain cannot get the blood (or oxygen) it needs. Since the brain is a complex organ that controls a variety of body functions, the part of the body that is affected varies according to the part of the brain that has died due to the blockage.
If you or anyone you love is experiencing these symptoms, it’s a medical emergency and you should call 9-1-1 or emergency medical services immediately.
Warning Signs of Stroke
- 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 coordination
- Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
Contact us if you would like to know more about stroke and how we can help with prevention and/or treatment of hypertension.