Dear Editor:
May is American Stroke Month. The American Heart Association says that each year there are 700,000 new and recurrent strokes. Stroke is the nation's third leading cause of death.
The American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, wants everyone to take the time to learn about stroke risk factors and to recognize the warning signs of stroke. A few risk factors for stroke include high blood pressure, (140/90 or higher), cigarette smoking, diabetes, heart disease, physical inactivity and obesity.
The warning signs of stroke 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, and a sudden, severe headache with no known cause. If you experience symptoms, call 911 immediately. Every second counts when dealing with stroke.
